PRESSURE THE SECRET INGREDIENT FOR HEHIR & MARCHESI-SCOTT'S GLOBAL GOALS

Pressure may be an obstacle for some, but WA duo Ky Hehir (Matt Ramsden, Perth Track and Field Club) and Robert Marchesi-Scott (Leanne Marchesi, UWA Athletics Club) have embraced the pressure as they look to unleash at the World Athletics Under 20 Championships in Lima.  

The track and field duo may not be a natural pairing, one a middle-distance runner and the other a shot putter, but the duo are no strangers to managing and thriving under pressure to deliver podium performances.  

Marchesi Scott's season looked in doubt when the up and comer suffered an ankle injury at the Australian All Schools Championships. However, the young UWA Athlete utilized his time away from the throwers circle to build strength in preparation for a big return to the sport.  

“I focused more on just going to the gym and taking advantage of being injured by getting as strong as possible, especially my upper body.” 

The hard work paid off for Marchesi-Scott when he bounced back at the Australian Athletics Championships in a last-minute effort to qualify for Lima, proving that pressure is no problem.  

“I wasn’t planning on going to Nationals but two days before we thought stuff it, I am going, if I come last then I come last, but I just wanted to go and see what happens,” Marchesi-Scott said.  

Marchesi-Scott's last-minute decision to compete in Adelaide was worth the while. Throwing an impressive 18.82m, Marchesi-Scott broke his own WA State Record to secure his spot on the Australian World Under 20 Team. 

Stronger, fitter and throwing further, Marchesi-Scott has spent the winter working on his technique as he prepares for his first International Championship.  

“It’s about finding the balance between throwing practice and hitting the gym, which is different for my preparation this time, but other than that I am training really hard and trying to get my technique right so I can find that big throw.” 

After a season of rebuilding his body and fine-tuning his technical skills, Marchesi-Scott has his sights set on the final however regardless of the outcome, he is grateful just to have made it this far.  

“Ideally I would like to win, but realistically making the final is the goal and getting another Pb would be nice too,” said Marchesi-Scott.  

“If I can get top 12 in the qualifying and make finals that would be a big tick, but if I go there and get a PB and not make finals I would still be very happy.”  

“I think just getting there is the achievement in itself for me I guess.” 

Over the last 12 months up-and-coming distance runner Ky Hehir has exploded onto the national scene with selection in two Australian teams.   

Debuting for Australia in August last year at the Commonwealth Youth Games, Hehir produced a solid fourth-place performance in the Men’s 3000m, narrowly missing the podium. 

Hehir returned to the Australian team as an Under 20 athlete for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships in Serbia in March, before returning to the Australian Championships to secure his spot bound for Peru.  

Building off these experiences, Hehir is set to once again don the green and gold as an experienced member of the Australian contingent.  

“We are trying to keep the preparation pretty similar this time because it has worked for the other trips,” Hehir said.  

“I have been doing a little more running to get a few extra k’s in the legs, but we got it pretty down pat last time so only a few little tweaks this time which hopefully make it better this time around.” 

Hehir secured his spot on the Australian Under 20 Team when he crushed his 3000m personal best of 8:04.26 during a Strive meet in Perth earlier this year, adding his name to another WA State Record.  

In Lima Hehir will be looking to build on his successful season by replicating his state record performance when he steps onto the track for the 3000m Final.  

“My aim is to get as close to the 8-minute mark as possible. If I can try and replicate the time that got me in, then I would be really happy,” said Hehir.  

The World Under 20 Athletics Championships are set to take place from the 27th to the 31st of August in Lima, Peru.  

To follow Robert and Ky's journey and stay up to date with the World Under 20 Athletics Championships schedules, results and updates, follow the Athletics West Facebook and Instagram pages.  

For more information on how you can get involved in athletics, contact Athletics West at admin@athleticswest.com.au or on 08 6272 0480.  

By Imogen McDonald, Athletics West 

Posted 14 August 2024