International Sprinters confirmed for Briggs Athletics Classic
22 Jan 2009
Following the recent announcement of Australia’s best 100m sprinters coming to Hobart, the Briggs Athletics Classic is excited to announce Nigerian born Sprinters Anthony Alozie and Bola Lawal will be running in Tasmania’s premier athletics meet.
At an Athletics Australia Allcomers meeting in Canberra last night, Alozie ran the fastest time on Australian soil since Asafa Powell last season, clocking 10.16sec. While the time was aided by a slight tail wind, his form was supreme, as he defeated four time Australian Champion Josh Ross who is also entered for the Briggs Athletics Classic. At only 22 year of age, Alozie is an exciting prospect over 100m and will be out to prove this further, when he takes on a crack field in Hobart.
The man who has clocked the quickest legal time of the year, is also heading to the Briggs Athletics Classic. Bola Lawal, who clocked 10.29sec at an Interclub meeting in Melbourne earlier is a confirmed starter in the IGA 100m and IGA 200m next Friday. Lawal is one of several international sprinters based in Australia at the moment and has an impressive resume under his belt. He is a two time Commonwealth Games relay representative, and winner of the Ballarat Gift. The 32 year old also boasts a 400m personal best time of 45.84sec.
In a further coup to the event, Beijing Olympian Sean Wroe will also toe the line in the IGA 100m and IGA 200m races. Wroe has had a shift in focus for the Australian domestic season, opting to focus on the 100m and 200m to assist his speed over the 400m. The 2007 Australian 400m champion has a personal best in his pet event of 45.17, which he set in Beijing and will be looking to better his lifetime bests over the shorter distances when he takes on the crack field.
Previously announced Australian sprint stars Josh Ross, Otis Gowa, Jacob Groth and Ray Williams will also join the field, in what will be one of the most exciting sporting spectacles in recent times in Tasmania.
ATHLETE PROFILES
Anthony Alozie
Age: 22
100m PB: 10.24sec (10.16 windy)
Claim to Fame: Fastest time in Australia since World Athletics Tour meeting last season.
Bola Lawal
Age: 32
100m PB: 10.29sec
Claim to Fame: 2 time Commonwealth Games representative for Nigeria
Sean Wroe
Age: 23
100m PB: 10.52sec
200m PB: 21.14sec
400m PB: 45.17sec
Claim to Fame: Semi Finalist over 400m at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics and 2008 Olympic Games
Josh Ross
Age: 27
100m PB: 10.08sec
200m PB: 20.53sec
Claim to Fame: 4 time national champion, 3rd fastest Australian ever
Otis Gowa
Age: 24
100m PB: 10.52sec
200m PB: 21.17sec
Claim to Fame: 2008 Australian 100m Champion, Cancer Survivor
Ray Williams
Age: 18
100m PB: 10.59sec
200m PB: 21.16sec
Claim to Fame: Winner of the 200m a Zatopek, bronze medallist at 2008 Commonwealth Youth Championships in India.
Jacob Groth
Age: 24
100m PB: 10.49sec
200m PB: 21.11sec
Claim to Fame: Silver medallist at 2008 Australian 100m Championships
The Briggs Athletics Classic is the flagship event of Track & Field in Tasmania. The full program of events is;
Men – 100, 200, 800, 1500, 5000, 400H, Triple, High, Shot, Discus, Javelin
Women – 100, 200, 800, 1500, 400m H, Triple, High, Shot and Hammer
The meet is on Friday January 30 from 6pm.