Athletics
Regional Queensland champion defends Commonwealth Games crown
QAS-supported athlete Matt Denny has successfully defended his Commonwealth Games discus title, delivering another golden pe...
Queensland cyclist Leigh Hoffman has continued his outstanding Commonwealth Games campaign, claiming gold in the men's sprint to secure his third medal in Glasgow and further cement his status as one of Australia's premier track sprinters.
Fresh from team sprint gold and keirin silver earlier in the week, the Queensland rider produced another commanding performance at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, defeating Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Paul in straight heats to add another gold medal to his remarkable campaign.
Hoffman entered the sprint competition in dominant form after qualifying fastest in a Commonwealth Games record time before progressing confidently through the knockout rounds.
The Australian proved too strong in the gold medal ride-off, winning the opening heat before overcoming an early challenge in the second. Paul attempted to force Hoffman high on the track and held the advantage approaching the final lap, but the Queenslander unleashed his trademark speed to surge past and seal the title.
The victory gives Hoffman three medals at the Glasgow Games after also helping Australia claim team sprint gold on the opening day and adding keirin silver.
Queensland’s success in the velodrome also continued in the Para Track Cycling program, with Jacquie Mengler-Mohr piloting vision-impaired cyclist Jessica Gallagher to silver in the women’s tandem B 1km time trial.
With one day of track cycling still to come, Queensland athletes have already played a pivotal role in Australia’s success, with Hoffman looking to add to an already remarkable Commonwealth Games campaign.
