Buoyed Ryan chases a 1500m medal
AT the peak of his powers and fully fit, Ryan Gregson has never been more ready to medal.
Ever since breaking the Australian 1500m record as a 20-year-old back in 2010, huge things have been expected of Gregson.
Longstanding foot injuries stalled his progress for several years. He made a huge breakthrough two years ago in Rio when he became the first Aussie man in four decades to contest an Olympic 1500m final.
Now his focus is firmly set on a podium finish at the April 4-15 Commonwealth Games.
Gregson did it the hard way at the national trials at Carrara Stadium on Sunday.
Stuck on the inside in seventh spot with only 200 metres to run, it would have been easy to panic. But Gregson stayed calm, pulled wide and mowed down the half-dozen runners ahead of him to win a third straight national 1500m title in three minutes 39.66 seconds.
Runner-up and training partner Jordy Williamsz (3:39.85) also locked in automatic selection for the Games.
The third discretionary spot in the 1500m is likely to go to 800m winner Luke Mathews.
“I had to stay patient - I felt good the whole way so I just had to wait,” Gregson said. “You’ve got to stay relaxed.”