World Championships Days 9 & 10 Review: Michelle magic

25 July 2022

World Championships Days 9 & 10 Review: Michelle magic

As the World Championships were winding down, there would still be one more brilliant performance by a NSW athlete – Michelle Jenneke.

A semi-finalist in the 100m hurdles at her last three world championships, Michelle continued that form, but at a new level, first clocking 12.84 in the heat, then a stunning 12.66 in the semi-final. It was a time that at nine of the previous 10 World championships would have made the final. In Eugene, it placed her 11th with the world record being broke by the winner. Michelle also moved up to number two Australian all-time and broke the NSW record.

In the long jump qualifying rounds, Samantha Dale faced a high quality field and required 6.75m or top-12 finish to progress. Jumping in pool B, Samantha fouled her first attempt, then registered 6.04m on her second attempt. On her last jump, she looked to land near the qualifying mark, but unfortunately it was a foul. She placed 12th in her pool. Sam now travels to Birmingham next for the Commonwealth Games.

On the last morning of competition, Central Coast race walker Carl Gibbons lined up in his second Australian team in four months. In the leadup Carl had been experiencing trouble with sprained ligaments in his ankle. At the start Carl also faced 92% humidity for the challenging 35km race walk. Early in the race Carl was sitting in the top-50, but then in addition to his ankle issues, from 3km into the race, he was in excruciating pain from his shins, a common problem for athletes. Despite this Carl bravely battled on passing 10km in 44:55 as he remained in the top-50. But unfortunately after 80 minutes into the race, between 18km and 19km he withdrew as the pain was too great.

Carl has already come along way this season. He worked hard during the COVID years and has been rewarded with two Australian bibs in 2022.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Michelle Jenneke (Athletics Australia)