Joel Hogarth is preparing for the World Junior Athletics Championships in Spain. 80940 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
WILLIAMSTOWN’S Joel Hogarth has qualified for the World Junior Athletics Championships in Barcelona, he just has to book the airfare.
The 18-year-old will compete in the 800m at the world’s most prestigious athletic event for Under 20s, after running a qualifying time of 1.50.41 at the Melbourne Track Classic in March, which doubles as Olympic selection trials.
Two weeks later he finished second in the 800m Under 18 event at the Australian Junior Championships, with a time of 1:52.97.
Hogarth, who trains with Essendon Athletics Club, is hoping to raise money to help pay the $3500 required to attend the world championships.
A trivia auction night at Williamstown RSL is being held on 25 May to help raise funds for Hogarth.
Hogarth said qualifying for the world junior championships was the goal him and his coach Gregor Gojrzewski set at the beginning of the year.
“(The Melbourne Track Classic) was the only race where I’d get the opportunity to run that time,” Hogarth said.
“I’d like to make the semi-finals (at the world championships) and then from there if I do that try to make the final.”
He is putting in about 10 training sessions a week to achieve his goal.
Hogarth’s long-term goal is to make an Olympic squad, but his is not looking further ahead than July.
“I haven’t really thought about any other goals besides the world championships this year.”
For more information about the auction night, contact Mimi Hogarth on 0407 569 380.
