Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Brandon Starc has led the charge for Team Asia-Pacific at the two day event – the Continental Cup (the world cup of athletics) in Ostrava, Czech Republic over the weekend.
The Sydney-based jumper competed on Day 1 and cleared 2.30m and finished second on a countback behind Donald Thomas of the Bahamas. Starc who won the Diamond League final and Commonwealth Games gold this year, collected a $15,000 USD cash bonus to end his remarkable season.
“It’s been a very long season, my longest yet, I would’ve loved to finish it off with a win but I’m not disappointed with 2nd and another 2.30m mark.
“Any prize money helps of course, we don’t get paid mega bucks in this sport so we have to take what we can get. It’s not a lot but it’ll go towards a place so I can move out of home at some stage,” said Starc.
Two other Australians – Matt Denny (QLD) and Brooke Stratton (VIC) also secured second in the discus and long jump (respectively), both taking home $15,000 USD. Their years also started with podium finishes at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Team Americas won the Continental Cup for the first time with a total of 262 points, Team Europe was second with 233 pts, Team Asia-Pacific was third with 188 pts and Team Africa finished in fourth place with 142 pts. The 25 Australian athletes helped Asia-Pacific to their best ever result having previously finished fourth in the first two editions of the exciting season-ending format. They will now have a well-deserved break before preparing for the Australian summer season.
Two-time world champion Jana Pittman was the Team Captain for Asia-Pacific at Ostrava 2018.
AUSTRALIAN RESULTS
2nd – Brandon Starc – High Jump
2nd – Brooke Stratton – Long Jump
2nd – Matthew Denny – Discus
3rd – Steven Solomon, Murray Goodwin, Anneliese Rubie, Ella Connolly – Mixed 4x400m relay
4th – Henry Frayne – Long Jump
4th – Stewart McSweyn – 3000m
5th – Linden Hall – 1500m
5th – Lisa Campbell – Polevault
5th – Genevieve LaCaze – 3000m
5th – Dani Stevens – Shot Put
5th – Nicolar McDermott – High Jump
5th – Stephen Clough – Pole Vault
5th – Ryan Gregson – 1500m
6th – Kelsey-Lee Roberts – Javelin
7th – Alexandra Hulley – Hammer Throw
8th – Michelle Jenneke – 100m Hurdles
8th – Anneliese Rubie – 400m
8th – Damien Birkinhead – Shot Put
8th – Brittany McGowan – 800m
