‘ASH WILL BE THE GREATEST ATHLETE ON THE PLANET’

BRONZE medallist Ash Moloney is a once-in-a-generation athlete who will break the decathlon world record within two years.

That’s the prediction of his coach Eric Brown, who says the 21-year-old could become “one of the greatest athletes on the planet”.

“At 21 years of age, most decathletes would be around 7500-7600 points and Ash was 8600-plus (in Tokyo),” Brown said.

“He is a world record holder for under-20 and he will break (Kevin) Mayer’s world record within a year or two.

“That is how good this kid is, he’s a superstar on the rise, and I think the whole world has now been alerted to that.”

Brown said Moloney was talented enough to compete in five different individual events at the Olympics.

“His 100m time is 10.3, which is ridiculous for a decathlete, and he will eventually be the fastest Australian 100m runner, and he’s a decathlete,” Brown said.

“He runs 45.7 for the 400m, he is the second-best 400m runner in Australia and would have been in the 4x400m relay team if that had gone ahead.”

And the best is yet to come, the veteran coach suggesting Moloney is still years from his peak, which is why the world record of 9126 points – set by Mayer in 2018 – is under threat.

“Decathletes peak around 28 and in this day and age they can hold it a bit longer,” Brown said.

“(Gold medallist) Damian Warner is 32 and he’s the best he has ever been his entire career.

“Ash will be one of the greatest athletes on the planet if he doesn’t get injured at any stage. He will break Mayer’s world record by hundreds of points because he’s just ridiculously good.”

Brown said studies had shown decathletes improved about 1000 points between the ages of 20 and 24. Given Moloney produced an Australian record 8649 at these Olympics, his trajectory will see him claim the Frenchman’s world record.

“There have been studies done over many years so even if he improves 900 points, Ash will beat the world record by 400 points,” he said.

The javelin throw is the event where Moloney will need to improve as it cost him the silver medal on Thursday night with Mayer leapfrogging him with a throw that was 16m superior.

In a thrilling finale to the gruelling 10-event competition, Moloney, with the urging of his teammate Cedric Dubler, managed to finish close enough in the 1500m to secure bronze – the first time Australia has taken a medal home in decathlon.

Dubler’s actions in sacrificing his own performance by screaming encouragement at his training partner throughout the final race struck a chord with the Australian public.