Denny’s Dominance and Kennedy’s Breakout: Melbourne Kicks Off World Athletics Continental Tour Gold
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The 2025 World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series launched in front of a sold-out crowd at Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium on Saturday, March 29. The Maurie Plant Meet saw standout performances across the board—from Matthew Denny’s world-leading discus throw to Lachlan Kennedy’s breakthrough in the men’s 200m. With Olympic champions, rising stars, and meeting records in nearly every event, the opening leg delivered a thrilling start to the international athletics season.
Men’s Discus Throw:
Olympic bronze medallist and two-time Diamond League champion Matthew Denny threw a world-leading 68.17m to win the men's discus, setting a new meeting record. He outperformed Great Britain's Lawrence Okoye (64.60m) and New Zealand’s Connor Bell, who posted a seasonal best of 62.14m.
Denny: “I’m in the best form of my life. The level in Australia has never been this high. I’ve inspired others to follow my lead.”
Men’s 200 Metres:
Lachlan Kennedy claimed victory in 20.26 (+0.4 m/s), a personal best, in a race honoring 1968 Olympic silver medallist Peter Norman. A week after winning world indoor silver in the 60m, Kennedy handled windy conditions and fierce competition.
Kennedy: “I’m absolutely gassed. I don’t run many 200s—it’s a different distance for me. Aussie sprinting is wild right now. The depth is insane. Gout’s a legend. I’m proud to be part of this crew.”
World U20 silver medallist Gout Gout placed second in 20.30, following his recent 19.98 wind-assisted and legal 20.05 performances at the Queensland Championships.
Gout: “Racing builds my confidence, but it brings pressure too. The Bolt comparisons are a lot, but I keep it simple and just run.”
Men’s 400 Metres:
Bayapo Ndori continued his winning streak over Letsile Tebogo, taking the 400m in 45.14. Tebogo clocked 45.26 for second, while Leungo Scotch finished third in 45.60, completing a Botswanan podium sweep.
Tebogo: “Next, I’ll focus on the 200m. We’re friends, but rivals on the track.”
Women’s 3000 Metres:
Ethiopia’s Fentaye Belayneh won with a meeting record of 8:34.30. Australia’s Georgia Griffith finished second in a seasonal best 8:35.19, with fellow Ethiopian Senayet Getachew third in a personal best 8:35.26. Maudie Skyring also ran a PB of 8:42.82.
Men’s 1500 Metres:
World U20 silver medallist Cameron Myers won in a seasonal best 3:34.98, leading after the penultimate lap. Adam Spencer was second in 3:35.52. Jude Thomas, Ollie Hoare, and Peter Bol all finished in 3:36.47.
Myers: “I knew the wind would be a factor. I tried to conserve energy and leave no stones unturned.”
Women’s 1500 Metres:
19-year-old 800m talent Claudia Hollingsworth stepped up in distance to win in a meeting record of 4:05.97. She edged out fellow Australians Sarah Billings (4:06.37), Linden Hall (4:06.89), and Abbey Caldwell (4:06.91).
Hollingsworth: “I was nervous warming up, but the race went really well.”
Men’s 5000 Metres:
Ky Robinson followed up his world indoor bronze in Nanjing with a 5000m win in 13:13.77. Australians Seth O’Donnell (13:14.57) and Jack Bruce (13:23.48) rounded out the podium.
Women’s 200 Metres:
Kristie Edwards took the win in 23.18, close to her PB. Jessica Millat finished second in 23.36, with Lakara Stallan third in 23.39. World U20 silver medallist Torrie Lewis was fifth in 23.60
Edwards: “I had to go hard from the start. The bend is my strength—I love it.”
Women’s High Jump:
Eleanor Patterson won with a 1.94m clearance, a week after claiming world indoor silver. She missed all three attempts at 1.97m. Nagisa Takahashi was second with a seasonal best of 1.86m.
Men’s High Jump:
Tomohiro Shinno of Japan cleared 2.20m to win on countback over Australians Roman Anastasios and Brandon Starc.
Women’s Hammer Throw:
Jillian Shippe broke the meeting record with a throw of 71.26m. France’s Rose Loga, European bronze medallist, was second with 69.05m.
Women’s Javelin Throw:
Lianna Davidson won with 61.06m, ahead of world bronze medallist Mackenzie Little (59.66m) and Japan’s Momone Ueda (57.65m).
Women’s 100 Metres Hurdles:
Japan’s Yumi Tanaka clocked a seasonal best of 13.11 to take the win. Teammates Chisato Kiyoyama (13.19) and Hitomi Nakashima (13.33) followed.
Men’s Triple Jump:
Connor Murphy, son of 2001 world indoor bronze medallist Andrew Murphy, won with a leap of 16.23m. He is currently studying biomedical engineering and neuroscience at the University of Sydney.
