Australia enjoyed a remarkable evening at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, clinching two bronze medals in just 25 minutes, thanks to Jessica Hull and Ky Robinson.
Hull showcased her talent in the women’s 3000 metres, finishing third behind Ethiopia’s Freweyni Hailu, who won the race with a time of 8:37.21, closely followed by American Shelby Houlihan at 8:38.26. Hull crossed the line just two-hundredths of a second later, earning herself a spot on the podium. This achievement adds to her impressive collection, which includes an Olympic silver from the 1500 metres in Paris last year and a bronze in the mixed relay at the 2023 World Cross-Country Championships in Bathurst.
Ky Robinson, only 23 years old and seen as an up-and-coming talent, also made waves in the men’s 3000 metres. Following Hull’s medal, he raced against fierce competitors, including Great Britain’s Sam Gilman. In a pivotal moment on the final straight of the 200m track, Robinson pushed through to secure his first global medal, finishing in third place with a time of 7:47.09. The gold went to renowned Norwegian athlete Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the reigning Olympic champion in the 5000m, who clocked 7:46.09. He was followed closely by Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi, who took silver with a time of 7:46.25.
Robinson’s journey through the race was an eventful one; he initially took the lead with three laps remaining but found himself back in fourth as the race neared its end. However, with a determined final sprint, he made a last-minute charge to secure the bronze medal.
This successful night not only highlights the prowess of Hull and Robinson but also advances Australia’s presence in the world of competitive athletics. The experience gained by Robinson in particular, reflecting on the potential for future successes, is one to watch as he continues to develop as an athlete.
As both athletes celebrate their achievements, Australia stands proud, eager for what lies ahead in the world of athletics.