Nick Willis evoked memories of the golden days of New Zealand middle distance running when he won bronze (later upgraded to silver) at the 2008 Olympics. Four years on, he is running into form at the best possible time; TVNZ reports:
Olympic silver medallist Nick Willis has smashed his own New Zealand 1500m record this morning, clocking 3m 30.35s for third at the Monaco Diamond League meeting - his final outing before the London Olympics.In a very quick race, Willis took 1.44s off the mark he set at the same meeting in Monaco last year. The time is also an Oceania record, beating the 3m 31.06s set by Australian Ryan Gregson, also at this meet, two years ago.The race was won by Beijing Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop from Kenya in 3m 28.88s - the world's fastest time this year - followed by fellow Kenyan Nixon Chepseba in 3m 29.77s.Willis' result comes two weeks before the Olympic 1500 metres heats.
That is a fantastic run by Willis; the fastest 1500m ever run by a New Zealander. Ominously though, the two Kenyan runners went even quicker, and as always, will shape up as the favourites for track and field's marquee event.
7 comments:
Obviously a great run leading up to the big one.
I was disappointed with Willis in Beijing - yes, he got a very creditable medal, but he seemed to be happy with bronze and lacked the drive and determination to go for gold.
He was on TV a few nights ago and seemed to be more confident and more determined to go for the top this time.
Another bronze (or silver) would be ok, but I think he has to be aiming for gold, even if that means risking missing out altogether. It seems like he has that in mind.
It won't be easy as this race has shown, but he'll get more credit (and satisfaction) for aspiring rather than settling for also ran status again.
An Olympic silver medal in the 1500m isn't "also ran status", it's awesome. Don't be a dick.
Hopefully the gutless bastard will actually try to win this time instead of disgracing his country's sporting legacy in the event as he did in China.
You try it Tinman, and report back. Dork.
Ahh, Teddy, I have tried it and although I make no claims of success I can assure you I never once tried to lose.
Only gutless bastards do that.
@ Pete and Tinman. I watched Willis' race at Beijing, and was delighted that he medalled. I ceratinly don't recall him ever saying that he wasn't trying to win. Perhaps he was realistic enough to understand that he wasn't one of the best runners in the field.
But given the amount of training that goes in to even making the Olympic team, let alone winning a medal, I wouldn't label any of our Olympic medallists as "gutless".
Where's your evidence he "tried to lose". Seems to me you're the loser. You make no claim to success because you have none, and you need to try to knock the heads off tall poppies to make your wee self feel better. Get a life.
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