Birtwhistle’s Games hopes over as Tassie athletes prepare for big events

Jake Birtwhistle’s hopes of competing at a second Olympics are over, but a host of other Tasmanians are preparing for big ticket events. Get the latest here.

Jake Birtwhistle has conceded his Olympic hopes are over. Picture: Tommy Zaferes

Launceston triathlete Jake Birtwhistle has conceded his dreams of competing at a second Olympics are over, but other Tasmanian athletes are preparing to race on big stages.

Birtwhistle failed to finish a major selection race in Japan over the weekend, with fellow Australians Matt Hauser and Luke Willian placing second and third respectively.

The 29-year-old finished 16th at the Tokyo Games but acknowledged on social media he will be a spectator for Paris.

“I won’t be getting that fairy tale ending after all,” he said.

“This sport is a roller coaster of highs and lows, and this moment now is pretty low. I’ll share more of my thoughts on this soon once I’ve had time to process what this all means.

“Congratulations to Luke Willian on a performance worthy of an Australian Olympian. I look forward to watching you and Matt Hauser race in Paris.”

Birtwhistle has previously revealed his goal was to race at another Olympics before focusing on longer distance events.

He got off to a great start by winning the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Tasmania at Hobart in January last year.

Hammer thrower Arielle Cannell 15 at the Domain Athletics Centre. Picture: Chris Kidd

Meanwhile, a handful of Tasmanians have been chosen to compete at the Oceania Athletics Championships in Fiji early next month.

Fresh from winning the under-18 national crown, hammer thrower Arielle Cannell will feature in the same age division at Suva.

Others selected in the squad were Jackson Mellor (discus), Alexander McKillop (T36, 100m), Todd Hodgetts (F20 shot put), Bailey Van Den Broek (under-18 heptathlon), and Xavier Leauma (under-18 hammer throw).

Deon Kenzie has also been selected in Australia’s squad for the World Para Athletics Championships in Japan, starting Friday.

Kenzie is considered Australia’s best chance at grabbing an additional quota sport for the Paralympics Games as one of four athletes to break the four-minute barrier in the T38 1500m class.