Fred Kerley, a star sprinter for the United States, kept up his good start to the season by winning the 400m at the Sydney Track Classic on Saturday.
The current 100-meter world champion, who also won silver at the Olympics in Tokyo, performed up to expectations by finishing in 44.65 seconds.
At the Maurice Plant Meet in Melbourne last month, Kerley won the 200 meters with ease to start his season.
After concentrating on the shorter dashes in recent years, he only ran the 400m four times since 2019.
After the run, the 27-year-old was clearly exhausted and spent some time sitting on his haunches.
“It was a good race. I want a good year ahead,” Kerley said after the race.
One of only three men in history to run sub-10 seconds for the 100m, sub-20 for the 200m and sub-44 for the 400m, Kerley started modestly before motoring to the front.
He eased up on the back straight to complete a second straight commanding performance in Australia.
However, he was unable to beat compatriot Michael Johnson’s 43.84 record set at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, which stands as the quickest time ever recorded in Australia.
Luke van Ratingen of Australia came in second with a time of 46.17.
In-form New Zealander Zoe Hobbs ran a lightning-fast 10.97 to establish a new national record and record the fastest women’s 100m time on Australian soil.
“I just wanted to have fun and enjoy the atmosphere… it all came together,” said 25-year-old Hobbs, who smashed the event’s record of 11.21 held by Australian Sally Pearson.
“I can’t believe it. I’m speechless.”
The fastest man in Australia, Rohan Browning, followed up his win in the 100 meters in Melbourne with a time of 10.14.
Eddie Osei-Nketia, a strongly built New Zealander who will begin playing American football at the University of Hawaii this year, lost to him once more.
