Emerging middle-distance running talent Angus Hincksman made headlines by setting a new world record at the Australian athletics championships, which began on Thursday. The 20-year-old Paralympian will compete against the former record-holder, Reece Langdon, in the senior men’s para 1500-metre final on Friday at Sydney Olympic Park.
During the heats of the able-bodied 1500 metres on Friday, Hincksman clocked an impressive time of 3:46.71, surpassing Langdon’s T38 world record by 0.12 seconds. Langdon, a teammate and competitor, had set the previous record at last year’s national championships in Perth.
Hincksman expressed his disbelief, stating, “It’s pretty surreal.” He acknowledged the significance of this achievement, considering it a crucial milestone in his athletic career. “This is the gold-class event for our classification in the distance world and a record I’ve been aiming at for years. Achieving it feels like a step in the right direction, as I’ve now checked it off my list of career goals.”
Langdon, who won bronze in the T38 1500m at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, has also been a key figure in Hincksman’s journey. While Hincksman narrowly missed out on a medal at those Games, finishing fourth just over a second behind, the rivalry between the two athletes remains strong on the track. Both have unique disabilities—Hincksman with cerebral palsy and Langdon with cerebellitis—but they share a respect for each other’s abilities.
The two will face each other for the 1500m para title under the lights at Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre at 8.07pm on Friday. Despite their competitive nature, Hincksman maintains a positive rapport with Langdon off the track, having known him since he was 16 and shared countless training experiences together.
Hincksman’s recent accomplishment marks a significant moment in his career as he continues to pursue his ultimate dreams of gold medals in world championships and the Paralympic Games.