Beacroft walks a long way to silver

In a successful morning of walking, Australia has won a silver and two bronze medals at the Caixa World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships held in Brasilia, Brazil.

Isaac Beacroft (NSWIS, David Beacroft) , 18, won another major medal at an International walking event, winning the silver medal in the U20 Men’s 10km Race Walk, and a bronze in the team event with Owen Toyne (ACT, David Beacroft) and John Ronan (WA, Mike Reid).

Beacroft battled gallantly in the event as he always does, which was won by Huajia Pu from China

“Coming into this race I had set the standard to win a gold medal, so to miss that it’s pretty hard to take, however a World Championships silver medal is something I’m proud to take home,” he said.

“Today simply just wasn’t my day, but as disappointing as it is I can now set my focus on the Commonwealth Games and the World Athletics U20 Championships later this year.

“I’ll be gearing up and going real hard at those.” 

In the Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk Team event, Australia won a bronze medal, finishing behind Ukraine and Spain, who won the gold medal.

Rebecca Henderson (VIC, Simon Baker) was the highest placed Australian coming fifth, with Elizabeth McMillen (NSW, Jared Tallent) finishing 11th and Olivia Sandery (SA, Jared Tallent) coming in at 14th and Allanah Pitcher (NSW,IS Frank Overton) finishing 47th.

Henderson, 24, said while the conditions were tough she was very happy with her race in the end.

“I think I was sitting in around 10th or 11th at 14kms and I managed to work my way up to fifth, so I’m pretty happy with that,” she said.

Henderson said the best thing about winning the Bronze Medal was winning it with her teammates. 

“The team did amazing,” she said. 

“The girls have all been training really well, we have done a few camps together and we are all really good friends and pushing each other.

“It’s so exciting to be involved in walking in Australia, and we can’t wait until the Commonwealth Games, then the LA Olympics in 2028 and hopefully the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.”  

Australia finished eighth in the medal table, which was topped by China who won three golds, one silver and two bronze medals. 

FULL AUSTRALIAN RESULTS

Men’s Marathon Race Walk

Mitchell Baker – 3:17:06 – 23rd

Carl Gibbons – 3:22:53 (SB) – 34th

U20 Men’s 10km Race Walk

 Isaac Beacroft – 40:47 – 2nd

Owen Toyne – 42:24 (SB) – 12th 

John Ronan – DQ

 Team Placing – 3rd (14 aggregate)

U20 Women’s 10km Race Walk

 Zoe Woods – 51:10 – 22nd

Sophie Polkinghorne – 51:30 – 24th

Matilda Webb – 52:57 – 31st

 Team Placing – 7th (46 aggregate)

Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk

Will Thompson – 1:29:44 – 12th

Tim Fraser – 1:30:37 – 21st

Rhydian Cowley – 1:31:09 – 22nd

Declan Tingay – 1:31:56 – 27th

Kyle Swan – 1:40:49 – 54th

Team Placing – 4th (55 aggregate)

Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk

Rebecca Henderson – 1:37:05 – 5th

Elizabeth McMillen – 1:38:29 – 11th

Olivia Sandery – 1:39:50 – 14th

Allanah Pitcher – 1:49:28 – 47th

Team placing – 3rd – BRONZE (30 aggregate)

Luke Dennehy, Australian Athletics