Six Australian athletes showcased their talent at the Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo, celebrating a remarkable performance that hinted at the country’s potential strength ahead of the upcoming world championships, also set to take place in Tokyo in September.
The event saw Australia secure five wins on the track and one in field events. Notably, Georgia Griffith set a new meet record in the women’s 1500m, finishing in 4:01.10, while Rose Davies dominated the women’s 3000m, winning by five seconds with another meet record of 8:43.38. In the women’s 100m, Bree Rizzo (formerly Masters) claimed victory in a challenging 11.38 seconds, running against a headwind, and notably defeating reigning world champion Sha’Carri Richardson and her fellow American teammate Twanisha Terry.
In the men’s category, Jude Thomas won the 3000m with a meet record of 7:39.69, and Reece Holder recorded a win in the 400m, finishing in 44.76 seconds. Liam Adcock also celebrated a win in the men’s long jump with a remarkable leap of 8.20m, aided by a positive tailwind.
Sarah Billings added to Australia’s achievements with a commendable third-place finish in the women’s 1500m, clocking in at 4:06.75. Australia’s six wins outshone the United States, which secured four, despite Japan having a higher overall number of wins.
“It’s an incredible time for Australian athletics, especially as we approach the world championships,” Rizzo expressed in her post-race remarks. She highlighted the growing strength of Australian athletes, saying, “We’re just getting stronger and stronger, and it’s exciting to see.” Rizzo herself felt thrilled to have claimed victory, despite a challenging lead-up to the race. “I didn’t feel very good coming into today… It wasn’t my best-executed race, but my strength carried me through,” she commented.
Rizzo noted her surprise at winning, recalling her sister’s reaction to her stunned expression after crossing the finish line. Reflecting on her victory, she termed it a remarkable achievement, especially given the fierce competition. Previously, she had triumphed at the Stawell Gift, making her win in Tokyo even sweeter as she faced off against some of the world’s best sprinters.
With her background as a beach sprinter and dancer, Rizzo’s success marks a significant point in her athletic career. The exhilarating outcomes from the Tokyo meet provide a promising outlook for Australian athletics as they gear up for the upcoming global stage.