Hoffa delivers on record breaking day in Hobart
Touring American shot putter Reese Hoffa has delivered at Round 2 of the Australian Athletics Tour today, with the 2007 world champion heaving 21.08m to win and thrill the crowd at the Briggs Athletics Classic in Hobart.
With Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Dale Stevenson breaking through the 20m mark (second, 20.05m, eight points as first Australian) for the first time to place second, Hoffa’s performance is a new meet record, a world championships qualifier and the best shot put result in Tasmania ever.
“It took me a while to get rolling today, I knew I had the power but the technique took some time,” Hoffa said.
“It was good to get out beyond 21 metres, that’s what I am trying to do as much as I can leading up to Daegu and I’ll be chasing it again in Melbourne.
“Dale has a fantastic future, he’s a real talent and it was great to see him hit that 20 metre mark, hopefully in Melbourne we can get him to the magic qualifying standard.”
Thrilled with his personal best, Stevenson is now looking to throw the 20.50m world championships qualifier in upcoming Australian Athletics Tour appearances.
“I thought I had a chance to win after my great throw in Round 1, but when you are throwing against a world champion you need more than that,” Stevenson said.
“I’m just stoked to finally reach the (20 metre) mark, it’s a bit of a benchmark in our event so it is great to hit it and hopefully that world champs (sic) qualifier is not too far away.”
In a record breaking day at the Domain Athletics Centre, Henry Frayne soared to sixth on the Australian all-time list by leaping 16.91m (w: +0.1) to win the men’s triple jump.
A new meet and Tasmanian record, Frayne edged out Australian Flame Alwyn Jones (second, 16.25m, 6 points) and Queenslander Kane Brigg (third, 15.94m, 4 points) to secure eight points for victory, three bonus points and the $2500 Briggs Athletics Classic jumps title.
“I’m so happy with the result, especially since it is my first jump for the season,” Frayne said
“Fingers crossed there are bigger things to come, I’ve sort of hit a plateau these past few years and I hope that might change this year.”
In other field highlights:
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Australian Flame Gabrielle Neighbour heaved 60.84m to win the women’s hammer throw ahead of fellow Commonwealth Games representative Bronwyn Eagles (second, 59.88m, six points) -
Simon Wardhaugh threw 65.37m in the last round of the men’s hammer throw to steal the winner’s eight points from Canberra-based athlete Tim Driesen (second, 65.33m, six points)
On the track, it was Commonwealth Games hurdler Lauren Boden who headed home with the Briggs Athletics Classic winners cheque, with the Canberra-based athlete stopping the clock at 56.71 for a total of 10 points (eight + two bonus points) in the 400m hurdles.
Taking to the track only an hour later to pace the women’s 800m B Race, Boden’s race today was her first hit out on the Australian Athletics Tour.
Also taking to the start line for the first time in 2011, Beijing Olympian Jeff Riseley made a dominant return to the men’s 1500m by winning in a time of 3:44.44.
His first competitive race since withdrawing from the Commonwealth Games team with injury, Riseley was happy to be back on the track.
“It’s my first race after missing most of last year with injury so I thought I wanted to get to the front and try to take out the other runners,” Riseley said
“The result is one thing but I am just really happy to be back.”
The day’s surprise result, however, came from 17-year-old Nicholas Hough, with the 2010 Youth Olympic Games gold medallist taking victory in the 200m ahead of Australian Flame Matt Davies (second, 21.68, six points). Clocking 21.68 (w: -2.7), Hough was astounded by his own performance.
“That was quite amazing, I was up against some really good seniors I didn’t think I stood a chance,” Hough said.
“This is probably my biggest events aside from the Youth Olympics, I’m real excited.”
In other track highlights:
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Sprints and hurdles queen Sally Pearson once again proved dominant with wins in both the 100m (11.57, w: -1.3) and 200m (23.60, w: -0.4) ahead of fellow Queenslander Charlotte Van Veenendaal on both occasions (100m – 11.57, 200m - 24.34) -
Ben St Lawrence crossed the line in 13:47.94 to win the men’s 5000m and provide a preview of what to expect at the Melbourne Track Classic on March 3. -
15-time national champion Tamsyn Lewis cruised through the women’s 800m to take line honours in a time of 2:04.32. -
Tatum Shaw (59.54), Chloe Jamieson (59.86), Tessa Consedine (60.05), Shenae Peterson (60.12) and Sarah Carli (60.40) placed first through 5th respectively in the women’s 400m hurdles (B Race), with all results beneath the world youth championships qualifying standard.
The Australian Athletics Tour now heads to Melbourne on Thursday, March 3.
Doubling as an IAAF World Challenge event, the Melbourne Track Classic will see a bounty of international stars including 800m world record holder David Rudisha take to the track alongside Australia’s best.
2011 Australian Athletics Tour
Round 3: Melbourne Track Classic – Thursday March 3, 2011
Round 4: Sydney Track Classic – Saturday March 19, 2011
Australian Athletics Tour Final Perth: Thursday March 31 – Friday April 1, 2011