Athletes chasing World Championship qualification at Nationals

Eliza McCartney
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Records and World Championship qualification are in the sights of many at this week’s National Athletics Championships in Wellington.

The highlight of the New Zealand season has attracted all of the country’s top athletes, including welcoming back one star.

It has been six years since pole vaulter Eliza McCartney last competed at the Nationals.

Injuries have blighted her career since then, but she’s on her way back.

“Pretty crazy that I haven’t been able to do the Nationals for so long, so I’m really looking forward to being a part of it again and not watching from the sidelines,” McCartney said on the eve of her competition.

The Rio Olympic bronze medalist last competed a month ago and since then has managed to return to her long run up.

McCartney is in a very competitive line-up that also includes Olivia McTaggart and Imogen Ayris.

“I have no expectations, it’s really just about jumping again and about competing again.

“I’ll be on a longer run up so I’m hoping to get some slightly higher heights and wanting to enjoy it.”

McCartney is aiming for a height of 4.71 metres sometime this summer to qualify for the World Champs.

Someone who has already achieved a qualifying mark is high jumper Hamish Kerr, who broke his own national record in Europe last month.

Hamish Kerr
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Commonwealth Games champion only arrived back in the country this week and is hoping to end his summer with another top performance.

“I’m over the moon where things are… to be in the form of my life so early in the year with some amazing competitions coming up is really exciting.”

His new personal best is now 2.34m.

“This weekend is another one of those exciting moments so hopefully I’ll be able to build on it.”

Kerr is chasing an eighth national title, but he’s well short of shot putter Tom Walsh who is hoping to win his 14th straight senior title.

The former World champion is looking forward to competing against Jacko Gill, his closest rival.

The pair don’t come up against each other often.

“Nationals always holds a special place in my heart in terms of wanting to show up and throw well and entertain the New Zealand public as I don’t get to do that too often.

“This one is going to be tough as Jacko is going to be throwing in it and so it will be a good ding-dong battle with him for sure.”

Tom Walsh at the 2022 Nationals
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

While Wellington may not be thought of as the best place to record top times, heights or distances, high jumper Hamish Kerr is looking forward to returning to Newtown Park where he set his previous best height in 2021.

“I think everyone goes to Wellington with the expectation that it’s not going to be great weather, but the times I’ve competed in Wellington in the past I’ve come out with some great results.

“My old PB was actually set there in 2021 so it’s a track where I’ve got a bit of history so I think I can really continue to push on from there.”

There are also key matchups in the women’s sprints with Zoe Hobbs and Rosie Elliott, in the men’s 800 with James Preston and Brad Mathas, while Sam Tanner is the man to beat in the 1500 metres.

A number of Para athletes, including the likes of Lisa Adams and Anna Grimaldi, will be chasing qualifying standards for their World Championships in Paris in July.

On the first day of competition Julian Oakley added the men’s 5000m title to his 3000m and 10,000m crowns with Laura Nagel retaining her women’s 5000m title.