SYDNEY TRACK CLASSIC EVENT PREVIEWS

SYDNEY TRACK CLASSIC EVENT PREVIEWS

Edward Ovadia

Email: edwardovadia [at] gmail.com

Steve Hooker vs Yevgeniy Lukyanenko (Pole Vault)

These two battled it out time and time again last year, with Hooker coming out on top when it mattered with an Olympic gold. He's gone on to win five out of five indoor meets this year, setting a new PB of 6.06m, while Lukyanenko has battled injury. Can he claim Bubka's world record? Can he win in front of an Aussie crowd? Time will tell...

Sally McLellan vs Melissa Breen vs Sherika Williams (100m)

It's only time until McLellan or Breen claim Melinda Gainsford-Taylor's national record. And they'll have Williams, the Olympic 400m silver medalist, pushing them all the way...

Sally McLellan (100m Hurdles)

...But first McLellan will have to take on the 100m hurdles, where she will face American Jenny Adams. This is McLellan's pet event, where she already holds the national record. She's a fierce competitor, and won't be easily beaten.

Joel Milburn vs Asafa Powell vs Xavier Carter vs Sean Wroe vs John Steffensen (400m)

The men's 400m is a stacked race. Don't be fooled by the presence of Asafa Powell, he will first have to dispense with his 47 second PB before he can think about the others. The man to beat will be the 'X-man', Xavier Carter, who has a PB of 44.53. Milburn and Wroe are also in good form, and will make for a riveting race.

Justin Merlino vs David Oliver vs Joel Brown (110m Hurdles)

Merlino, Australia's best hurdler, is up against the Olympic bronze medalist, who has come down under with fellow American Joel Brown. Merlino has been at the unlucky end of a few selection decisions in the past years, but has the talent to take it to the US crew and post a super fast time.

Bershawn Jackson vs LJ Van Zyl vs Tristan Thomas (400m Hurdles)

Tristan Thomas is without a doubt the form athlete of the season so far. He's posted a new personal best and A qualifier in the 400m hurdles (as well as the 400m flat and 800m) - but Bershawn Jackson is the Olympic bronze medalist, and Van Zyl is the Commonwealth Champion. Still, they had better have brought their 'A game' if they want to knock Thomas off.

Melanie Walker (400m Hurdles)

Melanie Walker is the Olympic Champion. How much more is there to say? She was here to race Jana Rawlinson, but Rawlinson's injury has forced her to withdraw. But it's still a treat to watch an Olympic gold medalist over her specialist distance. Look out for it.

Sarah Jamieson vs Lara Tamsett vs Lisa Weightman vs Donna MacFarlane (5000m)

The National Championships 5000m, with a seriously fast field. Can Tamsett get the double set - claim the 5000m crown to go with her Zatopek title? Weightman is also in good form, and may be tough to beat. MacFarlane and Jamieson are also proven over the distance. All we can hope for is a fast pace and an exciting race - it would be great for them to chase the A qualifier of 15:10, or at least the B qualifier of 15:25.

Bernard Kiplogat vs Gideon Gathamba vs Yusuf Kamel vs Nick Bromley vs Lachlan Chisholm vs Ryan Gregson vs Craig Huffer vs Jeremy Roff vs Collis Birmingham vs Bradley Woods

This is one stacked 1500m, with many questions to be answered. How fast will they run? Will the Kenyans (and ex-Kenyans) beat the Aussies? How many runners will crack the A qualifier of 3:36.20? Will Gregson or Huffer run under 3:40?

Dani Samuels vs Stephanie Brown (Discus)

American Stephanie Brown is the Olympic Champion in the discus, who has come to take on Australia's Dani Samuels. Samuels grabbed a surprise bronze medal in the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and has performed consistently over the past few years. Her best performances always come in Australia, so this is a golden chance for her to get one over the Olympic gold medalist, and break her PB of 62.95.


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