World Championships Day 2 Review: Five progress to the next round

17 July 2022

World Championships Day 2 Review: Five progress to the next round

A terrific day for NSW athletes on day two of the World Athletics Championships with 5 out of 5 athletes progressing to the next rounds, including three into finals.

Metric milers, Jess Hull and Olli Hoare cruise into the 1500m final and semi-final respectively, while high jump medal hopes, Nicola Olyslagers and Eleanor Patterson made it to the final. In his fifth Games, Nick Hough made his fourth global 110m hurdles semi-final.

Jess Hull in semi-final 2, started quickly and settled into third place, one out from the rail. With 600m to go, Jess’s main Commonwealth competition, Scotland’s Laura Muir put her foot down to move into second place. Jess responded immediately and followed her, moving from sixth to third. Jess worked hard to maintain the position, but noticeably easing off over the last 80m to smoothly cross the line in 4:01.81.

After the race Jess confirmed she was running conservatively.

" I was proud of how patient I was because it's easy to take the bait. I really didn't want to be the one to go. In my head, I kept saying composure, composure, composure," Jess said.

In the men’s 1500m heats, Olli Hoare was similarly in command and progressed easily into the semi-finals, taking the first heat in 3:36.17.

"The first heat is a very, very tough heat. A lot of big names there,” said Olli, primarily referring to Kenya Tim Cheruiyot, the Tokyo Olympic semi-finalist.

“I just wanted to be clear of any traffic at the front, stay relaxed, keep my concentration and finish in the top six. I came away with the win which is nice but it's not going to matter tomorrow. I felt confident and strong and hopefully I can take that into the semi-final.”

Olli, who won the NCAA 1500m title in 2018 at this track, noted how comfortable he feels at the venue.

“Hayward is a home field. I have a lot of friends out there that have watched me. If there is a place to do it, it would be here. But making the finals is going to be a challenge."

In the morning session, two women’s high jump pools were held, with both NSW athletes successfully negotiating 1.93m to move into the final.

From Pool A Eleanor Patterson maintained an absolute perfect clean sheet over 1.81m, 1.86m, 1.90m and 1.93m at the first time of calling.

"It took me a while until I got my rhythm,” said Eleanor surprisingly. “I think it was only at 193 when I felt like I finally run properly.”

Eleanor was feeling anxious, but coach Alex Stewart guided her through it.

“I was just a little bit nervous before the qualification. I am not such a person who shows emotions very much but my coach just saw it and told me: Stop being so nervous. So I just needed to shake it off a bit and I will jump more free in the final. This was like a stepping stone and it is going to be fun.”

Eleanor knows the challenge here.

“Everybody in the field is very talented and they want to jump high. They all worked hard to get it. I just need to put down the thing and just jump, fingers crossed. Let’s see what I can produce."

A little less convincing in Pool B was Olympic silver medallist Nicola Olyslagers (nee McDermott), who will be voided by the thought it all starts from scratch in the final. Nicola required extra attempts at 1.90m and 1.93m to progress.

"I am so thankful to be here and make my first World Championships final,” said Nicola.

“The Olympics last year were really successful, but every year is a new season to be able to represent well. To see the stadium, the crowd, it really lifts you to a brand new way. You have to adjust your run-up because you get so excited. I am trusting the process. I have been in four continents in the last two months. It's been all over the place. I am where I am meant to be. Even if my brain is a little bit jetlagged, I trust the feet are going to work and will go exactly as I want them to."

The fifth NSW athlete to progress to the semi-final was Nick Hough in the 110m hurdles. Placing fifth in his heat, he clocked 13.51, quicker than his 2019 campaign of 13.60. It was also a time only National record holder Kyle vander-Kyup has beaten at the World Championships.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Olli Hoare (courtesy of Athletics Australia)