Myers and Hollingsworth Lead Stellar Night at Maurie Plant Meet
Australian 19-year-old Cam Myers delivered a sensational performance to win the men’s 1500 metres in 3:30.42 at the Maurie Plant Meet at Lakeside Stadium in Melbourne. His time set a world-leading mark, an Oceanian all-comers record, and stands as the second-fastest of his career, behind the Oceania U20 record of 3:29.80 he set in Ostrava last year.
Myers launched his decisive kick at the bell, breaking away from Adam Spencer over the final lap. Spencer, the recent world indoor bronze medallist in Toruń, finished second in 3:37.51.
Cam Myers: “I had the crowd behind me, and it felt good. I just kept pushing onwards.”
Discus and Field Highlights
Olympic bronze medallist and two-time Diamond League champion Matthew Denny claimed the men’s discus throw with 67.51m, ahead of Great Britain’s Lawrence Okoye (65.09m) and Olympic champion Roje Stona (64.60m).
In the women’s pole vault, Olympic champion Nina Kennedy cleared 4.72m to set a meeting record, finishing ahead of American sisters Hana Moll (4.46m) and Amanda Moll (4.36m). Kennedy continues her comeback after missing the 2025 season with a hamstring injury.
Nina Kennedy: “It was a three-quarter run-up and I set a seasonal best. We are just being conservative. I need to be peaking in Europe and for the Commonwealth Games, so I need to be playing the safe game.”
World champion Nicola Olyslagers won the women’s high jump with 1.95m, edging 18-year-old rising star Izobelle Louison Roe on countback, as the teenager equalled her personal best.
In the men’s long jump, Alex Epitropakis produced a final-round leap of 7.96m to defeat world indoor silver medallist Liam Adcock (7.94m).
Italy’s Daisy Osakue won the women’s discus with 57.94m, ahead of Nigeria’s Obiageri Amaechi (57.40m).
Japan’s Tomohiro Shinno cleared 2.18m to win the men’s high jump.
Hollingsworth Shines in Women’s 1500m
Australian rising star Claudia Hollingsworth, 20, delivered a breakthrough performance to win the women’s 1500 metres in a meeting record of 4:01.30, holding off world indoor champion Georgia Hunter Bell (4:01.52).
Hollingsworth, who had already set a world outdoor lead of 3:58.09 in Melbourne earlier this month, made her decisive move with 200 metres remaining. Hunter Bell was unable to match her finishing speed.
Sarah Billings finished third in 4:03.67, just ahead of Linden Hall (4:03.79).
Claudia Hollingsworth: “It was amazing being in a race with this level of girls and beating Georgia. If I didn’t have you guys, I probably would have fallen over. I have been just working on my mental state and just telling myself to clear my mind throughout the whole race and really settle in, relax and enjoy it.”
Sprint Fireworks and Track Highlights
Australian sprint star Lachlan Kennedy delivered a standout double, winning the 100 metres in 10.03 (+0.3 m/s) to break the meeting record previously held by Asafa Powell. Rohan Browning finished second in 10.25, followed by Tiaan Whelpton (10.29).
Kennedy returned to win the 200 metres in 20.38 into a -0.7 m/s headwind and pouring rain, narrowly holding off teenage sensation Gout Gout (20.43).
Lachlan Kennedy: “Back to back, it does not get much better than that. I just went out there and gave it my all. The rain came in when I started running so it was a hard run.”
In the men’s 400 metres, Jacory Patterson opened his season with a win in 44.41, ahead of Luke Van Ratingen (45.03).
Jacory Patterson: “I will take it. It’s the seasonal opener and I am excited. I knocked the rust out with that race, so I am pretty happy.”
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Michelle Jenneke won in 13.05 (+1.2 m/s), holding off Emily Britton (13.07) and Celeste Mucci (13.08).
Distance Events Round-Up
Jackson Sharp edged Seth O'Donnell in a dramatic finish to win the men’s 3000 metres in 7:41.02 to 7:41.11, with Ireland’s Brian Fay third in 7:42.85.
In the women’s 3000 metres, Rose Davies took victory in 8:45.13, ahead of Maudie Skyring (8:47.05) and Georgia Griffith (8:48.00).
The men’s 800 metres was won by Luke Boyes in 1:45.26, ahead of teenager Daniel Williams (1:46.16).
