Doha World Championships Underway
Two of WA’s four representatives on the Australian Flame
team have completed their events at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in
Doha.
Pole vaulter Liz Parnova was first up and despite a
gutsy effort on the world stage, her best height of 4.35m was short of the
automatic qualifying height of 4.60m needed to progress to the final.
Parnova cleared at the second attempt at both 4.20m and
4.35m but registered three missed attempts at 4.50m to bow out. Whilst her competition
season ends with disappointment, the year on a whole has seen her steadily
improve on her personal best.
17 athletes did progress through to the women’s pole vault
final, with Anzhelika Sidorova (neutral athlete – ANA) winning with a best jump
of 4.95m. USA’s Sandi Morris was second (4.90m) whilst bronze went to Greece’s
Katerina Stefanidi (4.85m).
Rochelle Rodgers enjoyed – or perhaps more accurately
endured – her World Championship debut in the women’s marathon, which commenced
at midnight Doha time, in temperatures still hovering at 35 degrees with 80 per
cent humidity.
Despite the exhaustive conditions, Rodgers willed herself to
the finish line, to take 35th place in a time of 3:05.12hrs.
23 runners failed to reach the finish, highlighting just how
oppressive the conditions had been.
Rodgers for her part, summed it up succinctly.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” she said post-race,
following her outstanding effort.
The world title was claimed by Kenya’s Ruth Chepngetich in
2:32.43hrs.
Hurdler Brianna Beahan and middle-distance runner Matt Ramsden
have yet to commence their events, with details as listed below.
Matt Ramsden
Competition times:
Day 7) 3:00AM (4 OCT) 1500 Metres Heats
Day 8) 1:10AM (5 OCT) 1500 Metres Semi-Final
Day 10) 12:40AM (7 OCT) 1500 Metres Final
Brianna Beahan
Competition times:
Day 9) 10:15PM (5 OCT) 100 Metres Hurdles Heats
Day 10) 12:05AM (7 OCT) 100 Metres Hurdles Semi-Final
Day 10) 1:50AM (7 OCT) 100 Metres Hurdles Final