Rohan Browning rebounds from Commonwealth Games gaffe in 100m victory
Rohan Browning was involved in two thrilling races the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne.
Aussie sprint sensation Rohan Browning has edged out rival Eddie Osei-Nketia in a thrilling 100m race at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne. The two-time national champion copped some heat last year after stumbling at the Commonwealth Games during the 4x100 relay.
The Aussie team appeared to be on track to qualify for the final until Browning stumbled and fell as he was about the receive the baton from Jack Hale for the final leg of Saturday's race. This prompted some criticism for Browning from retired 400m runner John Steffensen.
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However, the 25-year-old has returned in 2023 stronger than ever and won a very tight race at the World Continental Tour Gold Series after recording a 10.26 time on Thursday. Browning faced tough competition from New Zealand sprinter Osei-Nketia who burst out of the blocks.
Osei-Nketia edged past Browning at the 50m mark, but the Australian accelerated into the finish line to take out first place. This marks his second victory in two weeks.
Browning won the Adelaide Track Classic last week with a time of 10.25 seconds. However, the headwind in Melbourne was considerable and sparked many to claim it was one of the best races from an Australian in quite some time. Athletics fans praised both Osei-Nketia and Browning for an epic finish, which saw Browning show composure to hold out the powerful New Zealander.
Eddie Osei-Nketia still rapid on the track. Finishes comfortably ahead of Tiaan Whelpton but just edged by Rohan Browning (who has a PB of 10.01) at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne.
Browning 10.26
Osei-Nketia 10.27
Whelpton 10.39
Wind -1.7 pic.twitter.com/zGqAdxI9Oy— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) February 23, 2023
Winner 100m Aussie Rohan Browning
10.26— Sarah Cowley Ross (@SarahCowley3) February 23, 2023
Impressive stuff from Rohan Browning, found speed in the second half of the 100m and just takes it out over NZ's Eddie Osei-Nketia.
Strong time of 10.26 (-1.7) considering the headwind.— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 23, 2023
That takes serious composure to come home over the top of Eddie Nketia after he pressed ahead at 70m. Nice work from @Rohan_Browning . And that w100m… @chroniclesofnaa Just wow! Crazy fast running. On conversion possibly the fastest an Aussie has ever run. https://t.co/H8Vu0APaom
— 🌈 patbirgan (@patbirgan) February 23, 2023
Fred Kurley stuns Melbourne in 200 metre show
Browning also entered the 200m race in an attempt to push himself against world champion Fred Kurley. Kurley is the 200m world champion and is one of three men to run sub-10 in the 100m, sub-20 in the 200m and sub-44 in the 400m.
The incredible athlete was brought to Melbourne to help boost the allure of the Maurie Plant Meet. And Browning was keen to race alongside the champ. Earlier this week, Browning said he had no idea how fast he could push himself in the event.
"I have no idea or prediction for what I can run in the 200m, obviously running against fast guys will bring out the best, he said. "Hopefully the speed lasts another 100 metres."
And Browning put on a great performance to finish second in the race, but Kurley was too much as he breezed to the win and celebrated 15 metres out from the line. The American powered past Browning with 30 metres remaining to record a time of 20.32. Browning was impressive in second place with a personal best time of 20.71.
2nd for @Rohan_Browning and a PB of 20.71 in the Peter Norman Men’s 200m at the Maurie Plant Meet! @AthsAust #ThisIsAthletics #ContinentalTourGold pic.twitter.com/gLMEGvCKZH
— Estrella Sports Management (@Estrella_Sports) February 23, 2023
Fred Kerley celebrating from 25m out. Immediately taking selfies with fans.
Wins the 200m with ease. As Bruce would say, he’s special.
Rohan Browning with a solid run to finish second.— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) February 23, 2023
Elsewhere, Aussie teenager Cameron Myers finished third in the 1500m race behind Commonwealth Games champion Ollie Hoare. However Myers was the talk of the athletics world afterwards, becoming the second-youngest runner behind only the great Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen to go under four minutes.
Myers clocked an extraordinary time of three minutes, 55.44 seconds. However Myers' time was actually faster than that of Ingebridtsen, breaking the world record for 16 year olds.
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