Comm Games Qualifiers the Focus in Throws
23 Jan 2014
Commonwealth Games qualifiers the focus for Briggs Athletics Classic
Qualification for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in Scotland in July will be a major focus for the athletes competing at this year’s Briggs Athletics Classic to be held at Hobart’s Domain Athletic Centre on Saturday, 1 February.
And as always the long throwing events will provide not only plenty of action but almost certainly the biggest proportion of Games qualifiers across the event groups.
Hobart’s Huw Peacock [PB 66.91m] already has more Games qualifiers (four) in the men’s hammer than any athlete in any other event and will be aiming not only to add another at Briggs but to be competitive against his rivals for selection.
He will face a field including three time national champion Tim Driesen [PB 70.76m] who finished seventh in the hammer final at the last Commonwealth Games in 2010 in New Delhi and the rising star of Australian throws - 17 year old Queenslander Matt Denny [PB 62.50m] who will be competing in his first serious meet with the senior 7.26kg implement.
In the javelin, Hamish Peacock [PB 81.14m] will be keen to ensure that his younger brother is not the family star of the night and will have his sights on both a victory and the record books with the Tasmanian and Allcomers marks well within his grasp. The men’s javelin will be one of the most keenly fought battles for games selection this season with at least five athletes capable of vying for the maximum three places available.
NSW’s Matt Outzen [PB 79.41] was a close to Peacock in last week’s Hunter Track Classic and will be out for revenge whilst Josh Robinson [PB 80.73m] and Luke Cann [PB 76.58m] will provide plenty of pressure on both the top men from the National Athletics Series to date.
The largest entry will contest the women’s hammer – which given the home state’s strength in the event has become a permanent fixture on the Briggs program.
Dual Commonwealth Games rep and triple national champion Gabrielle Neighbour [PB 67.53m] returns to the sport after a year away and will be seeking a qualifier to earn a third Games selection after finishing seventh in melbourne in 2006 and fourth in new Delhi four years ago.
In her absence Queenslander Lara Nielsen [PB 61.96m] won the 2013 national title and has since consolidated her standing as the country’s current number one with two Games qualifiers and a new personal best over the past six weeks.
The Tasmanian contingent led by Danni McConnell [PB 59.22m] and Mikki Genge [PB 57.87m] will have their eyes on Games and World Junior Championships qualifiers respectively as will Natalie Debeljuh [PB 60.43m] and NSW youngster Alex Hulley [PB 59.15m].
Event Facts – Women’s Hammer:
Meet Record: Brooke Billett (South Australia) 69.55m [6 January 2006]
Commonwealth Games A Standard: 69.50m
Commonwealth Games B Standard: 59.30m
World Junior Championships AUS Standard: 57.00m
Event Facts – Men’s Hammer:
Meet Record: Chris Harmse (South Africa) 76.53m [9 March 2002]
Commonwealth Games A Standard: 76.00m
Commonwealth Games B Standard: 64.90m
Event Facts – Men’s Javelin:
Meet Record: Qinggang Zhao (China) 80.77m [23 Febuary 2013]
Commonwealth Games A Standard: 81.00m
Commonwealth Games B Standard: 72.60m
World Junior Championships AUS Standard: 68.50m
The 2014 Briggs Athletics Classic, the third leg of the 2013-14 National Athletics Series will be staged at the Domain Athletic Centre in Hobart on Saturday 1 February with the main program beginning at 6.00pm.
The Meet will be preceded by the Tasmanian Little Athletics Relay Championships from 11.00am to 3.30pm and from 4.45pm onwards the meet pre-program featuring the inaugural Little Athletics Swedish relay championships, the Australian Masters internet 4x400m relay match and the Briggs Classic men’s hammer throw.
Tickets are available via Centertainment, through athletics clubs or at the gate. Adults - $15; Children (under 16) - $5; children under 6, competing athletes and little athletes – free.
