Australia is wheeling out the big guns on what shapes as a super Sunday send-off at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The green-and-gold squad boasts strong medal chances in three individual events and will also be represented in the men’s 4x100m relay finals.
After claiming silver at the last two Olympics and bronze at the 2023 world championships, world No 1 Nicola Olyslagers has never been better placed to secure that elusive first outdoor global title.
She broke her Australian high jump record with a winning clearance of 2.04m in the Diamond League final late last month in Zurich.
By her own exalted standards, world record-holder Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine is having a so-so year, which throws the event wide open.
“This is the most fresh I have felt for a world champs event before, usually I’m just hanging on for dear life because it has been a long season,” Olyslagers said.
“But since I came home to Australia mid-year, I feel I am just starting to warm up so I’m really excited.
“I want to take risks out there, I don’t want to play it safe.
“I really want to jump higher than I ever have before and make the most of the shape I am in.”
The women’s high jump final is due to start at 8.05pm (AEST) on Sunday.
Fellow Australian Eleanor Patterson, who will also compete in the high jump final, is a perennial threat as a consistent medal winner at major meets, highlighted by gold at the 2022 world championships.
Australia’s Matt Denny during the qualification round at the world athletics championships. Photograph: Bernat Armangué/AP
Matthew Denny is building towards a similar level of excellence in the men’s discus. He followed a breakthrough bronze at the Paris Olympics with his best ever season in 2025, during which time the Queenslander pushed his personal best out to 74.78m in April.
All of the big throwers are through to Sunday’s final, which is scheduled for 9.10pm (AEST), but Denny is as well placed as any of them.
“I think the biggest thing for all of us is to give what’s owed,” he said.
“Everyone’s in great condition and it’s a level of throwing that’s never really been seen in men’s discus, across the board.
“Everyone has to be ready for that and fully commit because I know I’m coming in ready to go.”
After pocketing bronze in her pet 1500m event, Jessica Hull gets a free swing in the 800m final where the pressure will be on the likes of Britain’s reigning Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson and defending world champion Mary Moraa of Kenya.
“I just get to run pretty free and that’s quite dangerous when you’re out there among the women who are expected to do things and run fast in the world,” said Hull, who set a national record of one minute 57.15 seconds in the semis.
“I get to enjoy it. Run free and have fun.”
Hull is due to run in the final at 8.35pm (AEST).
Ky Robinson earned his spot in the men’s 5,000m final by finishing an impressive fifth in his heat.
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