Have A Go Olympic Challenge 2024

HAVE A GO AT OLYMPIC SPORTS

FIND YOUR SPORT
Background image

McDermott and Patterson sail into high jump final, Moloney second with two events remaining

 

McDermott and Patterson sail into high jump final, Moloney second with two events remaining

Author image
AOC
Nicola McDermott high jump qualifying

ATHLETICS: Australia will boast two women in the final of the women's high on Saturday 7 August, with national record holder Nicola McDermott and Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Eleanor Patterson advancing to the medal round with ease.

And Ash Moloney continues to hold down second position in the decathlon with a strong start to the day.

McDermott entered the competition at 1.86m and delivered first attempt clearances at 1.90m, 1.93m and the automatic qualification mark of 1.95m.  

She will start in the final with a personal best of 2.01m and has confidence in her preparation having mirrored her build-up to a very successful outcome at the Australian Championships in Sydney to earn her selection. 

“It was great out there, and to do it with Eleanor, that was fun,” McDermott said. 

“As we got to 1.95m, we’d been waiting around for ages and that’s not usual for Australians, our competitions are a bit more bam, bam, bam. I just had such a peace when I was attempting it. I’m in great shape now and I didn’t have to be nervous because this is my gift back to God. I’ve done all the work, and nothing would be wasted. I’m super excited for the final. 

“We did a big preparation before the Olympic Games, just like we did before the Australian Championships. The same sessions, the same weights, because we knew that at the nationals I jumped out of my skin. We were able to everything in Switzerland, we did a big training block and I’m thankful because we avoided the restrictions of Australia. I got to Japan and knew that I’d done the training and just had the chance to enjoy it.” 

“I’m hoping to be on the ascent to a new personal best.” 

Patterson also jumped for the first time at 1.86, clearing 1.90m and 1.93m with her first attempt before a second jump clearance at the qualifying mark of 1.95m. 

She is competing at the Olympic Games having had a significant two years, moving to Sydney to train under Alex Stewart and alongside Brandon Starc, while managing a stress fracture in her right foot. 

“I knew I’d done that this season, with 1.96m, so I knew I deserved to be in that final and I could get the job done. I’m pleased that I’ve made it and I’m going to go out there and have some fun on Saturday, that’s for sure.,” Patterson said. 

“It does give me confidence. I’m really hitting my straps, that’s for sure. I know that I can jump higher, so I’m really excited for that. Last year I had a stress fracture in my right foot and then at the start of the year I had a stress hot spot, so my body is in different shape and I’m excited to be out there.” 

Moloney holds second place in decathlon after 8 events

McDermott and Patterson were joined in action at the day session by Ash Moloney and Cedric Dubler, competing in the 110m hurdles and the discus as part of the ten-event decathlon. 

Moloney clocked a personal best 14.08 seconds (964 points) in the sprint hurdles before a 44.38m (754 points) throw in the discus and then a 5 metres pole vault (910 points) to hold his silver medal position after eight events with a point score of 7269.  With the javelin and 1500m remaining the 21-year-old is 94 points clear of Canadian Pierce Lepage who is third. World no.1 ranked Canadian Damien Warner leads with 7490 points. French World Record Holder Kevin Mayer is in 4th with 7129 points. Based on season best performances Mayer is likely to pass Moloney so it could be a battle for the bronze between Moloney and Lepage.

Continuing to manage his return to competition after a hamstring injury, Dubler ran 15.10 (837 points) in the 110m hurdles before backing up with a 43.31m (732 points) mark in the discus throw. He was 15th overall with a score of 5753 points, before the pole vault but didn't record a mark at 4.60m. He will assess his injury and try to complete the competition.

The javelin throw will commence at 8.15pm AEST with the 1500m, the 10th and final event, at 9.40pm.  

The women’s 4x400m relay team also take to the track for the first time tonight, alongside Ollie Hoare and Stewart McSweyn in the semi-final of the men’s 1500m. 

The 4x400m relay order is expected to be: Bendere Oboya, to Kendra Hubbard, Ellie Beer and Rio Olympian Annelies Rubie- Renshaw to bring it home. 

20km Race Walk in Sapporo

Sapporo also welcomes the first of the road events, with Kyle Swan and Declan Tingay to compete in the men’s 20km walk. The duo are both Olympic debutants and start looking to fill the shoes of Dane Bird-Smith, who won bronze in the event at Rio 2016. 

Cody Lynch 

MORE ON ASH MOLONEY
MORE ON CEDRIC DUBLER
MORE ON NICOLA OLYSLAGERS
MORE ON ELEANOR PATTERSON
MORE ON ATHLETICS
MORE ON ATHLETICS | TOKYO 2020
Top Stories