KING of King Island Stewart McSweyn is back in form and has made history becoming Tasmania’s first finalist in an individual track event at an athletics world championship.
McSweyn’s return to form, after suffering long Covid, which saw him withdraw from the World Indoor Championships, was confirmed when he drove the pace in the 1500 metres semi final in Eugene Oregon. While the world ranked number three displayed his racing skills leading from the front, McSweyn backed off to cross the line in 3:35.07 behind Teddese Lemi (ETH). Tokyo fourth place getter from Kenya, Abel Kipsang claimed the victory in McSweyn’s semi final with a 3:33.68 finish. A season’s best by 10 seconds but still five seconds off his personal best.
“The race was tough, the back-to-backs are always hard,” McSweyn said. “The heat takes a bit out of you but I felt strong. I knew I had to get into that top five to get the ‘big Q’ and not worry too much but I’m looking forward to bouncing back strong for the final. “I’m flying under the radar this year. I’m not feeling pressure, especially compared to Tokyo so I’m going to go into the race and believe I can do it. I think I can beat everyone on my day so I’m going to back in that I can do it.”
He finished in the final in ninth with a season’s best time of 3:33:24.
McSweyn’s mum Jacqui said she hadn’t spoken to her son as he was focusing on the world championship but had been closely following his progress. McSweyn, 27, will board a plane to England where he will also contest the 1500m at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Stewart has also been named a finalist in the 2022 Athletics Tasmania Athlete of the Year Awards.