Sydney University athlete Anneliese Rubie missed a berth in the final of the women’s 400m at the 2015 IAAF Athletics World Championships in Beijing after finishing eighth in her semi-final yesterday.
Having posted a personal best of 51.69s to qualify for the semi-finals, 23-year-old Rubie ran the second fastest time of her life – 52.04 – but it was not enough to get through to the final of the 400m.
While she might have missed a berth in the final, Rubie’s run in the heat when she broke the 52 second barrier for the first time in her career, was a defining moment.
Her time met the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games qualifying mark, and she became the fastest Australian woman over one-lap since Tamsyn Manou in 2009 and the first world championship semi-finalist in the event since Catherine Freeman in 1999.
“It’s as good as they say out there. The track is lightning fast, the stadium is amazing and it’s hot. The conditions are perfect. I had an absolute ball. I executed my race almost perfectly. I didn’t want to leave the race thinking there was anything left in the tank, and I’ve definitely done that,” Rubie said.
“I want to improve in the next round. I think I am in even better shape. To be honest, I’m stoked regardless. It’s just a bonus after only getting into the championships late.”
Rubie had been selected to represent Australia for the 4X400m women’s relay but in a relay-training camp on the Sunshine Coast in July she ran a PB of 52.29.
Rubie then travelled to Japan in early August for a pre-World Athletics Championship camp with fellow Australian team members when she heard she would also run the individual 400m event. That news further spurred Rubie, who proceeded to run another PB in Japan just days later.
She now has the Olympic Games in her sights.
