Australia’s Sally McLellan followed in the footsteps of her countrywoman Jana Pittman as a World Youth hurdles champion with an outstanding display to win in 13.42 into a 1.9m/s headwind
The 16-year-old Queenslander had looked the dominant force throughout the competition and savoured the victory draped in the Australian flag before going to prepare for the 200m final, which was scheduled 40 minutes later.
Four years ago at the inaugural IAAF World Youth Championships in Poland Jana Pittman won the 400m hurdles title and has since gone on to excel in the senior ranks winning last summer’s Commonwealth title. And there is no reason to presume McLellan, who incidentally cites Cathy Freeman as her hero, can not go on to achieve similar heights.
Drawn in lane six the blonde-haired Aussie from the Gold Coast led from the third hurdle and established a two-metre lead approaching the last barrier.
The leader clipped the last hurdle and almost stumbled but recovered to hold off Jamaica’s Latoya Greaves, who won silver with 13.49.
Domenique Manning of the United States pipped Nigeria’s Josephine Onyia with 13.60 to 13.65 for the bronze medal.
