Nitro Athletics Bolts In

The fledgling steps toward revolution of track and field have been hailed a success as Nitro Athletics wrapped up last Saturday night in Melbourne with the Bolt All Stars victorious.

Bolt – a man not unaccustomed to winning – said the new format of athletics had entertained and kept the fans hungry for more.

“It was brilliant, it was exciting, it was different and every night came down straight to the wire,” he said of the concept.

“Tonight it came down to the last event, it was a brilliant excitement and I think everyone in the track and field world really enjoyed this.

“I knew this is what track and field needed, the energy and the vibe – everybody I talked to really enjoyed it.”

With Bolt’s final point ringing true, it could just as easily be argued that the final tally was immaterial.

The crowds came to see Bolt, and the man delivered. Perhaps the longer term merit, is that so too, did a core of Australia’s established and emerging track and field talent.

From a Western Australian focus, five athletes graced competition at Nitro.

In the women’s pole vault, training partners Liz Parnov and Nina Kennedy duelled, representing Australia and the Bolt All Stars respectively.

Kennedy earned temporary bragging rights with a clearance at 4.00m that bettered Parnov on countback, but with the bigger prize of national champion at stake at the end of the month, the pair will resume friendly rivalry in Sydney at the Australian Athletics Championships.

Paralympian Ella Pardy ran third for Team Australia in the women’s 100m ambulatory, clocking 12.89secs. Pardy finished behind England’s Erin McBride and Japan’s Mana Sasaki.

Matthew Ramsden made a name for himself on the opening night of Nitro Athletics when he won the 1 Mile Elimination. The young gun again made the cut on Saturday, ensuring he was in contention over the closing lap shoot-out, but on this occasion, elder statesmen Ryan Gregson would earn victory in 4:06.02mins to Ramsden’s 4:06.98.

Running for Team China, Chad Perris filled in to prevent a shortened field and was second in the men’s 100m ambulatory. The Australian Paralympian was narrowly behind England’s James Arnott in a tight finish at the line.