Article by Tracy Canham – Runner’s Tribe
Hobart brothers Hamish and Huw Peacock have been selected for a second consecutive time to represent Australia at the Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast in April.
For Javelin thrower Hamish, winning his third National title last weekend secured his place on the team after recording more than a dozen A-standard qualifiers throughout the season. For younger brother Huw though, it was an anxious wait for selection after falling short of his best at the selection trials. Huw is ranked second in the current crop of Australian Hammer throwers behind Queensland giant Matthew Denny, but the Queensland heat proved challenging in the final, with the younger sibling missing a podium finish for the first time in his career.
“After my round 6 throw I thought my chances of being selected were over then and there” said Peacock “I struggled with the heat throughout the comp so plan on heading to the Gold Coast in a few weeks to acclimatise for the Games”
Huw believes his consistency is the key to making it into the final of the Commonwealth Games after producing fifteen B-standard qualifiers throughout the season. “I’ve just had my best year competing, my personal best of 68.48m should comfortably see me through to the final and I’ve been up around that mark consistently through the qualifying period”.
Huw will leave Tasmania for the Summer of Athletics Grand Prix in Brisbane on the 22 March and will go into the Australian Team camp following the event to prepare for the Games.
Like Huw, older brother Hamish has also delivered his best year to date in 2017. After claiming his second National title in April, Peacock headed overseas to prepare for the IAAF World Championships in London, which would be his third appearance at the event. Delivering consistent results through to the London event, Peacock achieved his best result at a major event, throwing 82.46m to narrowly miss the final. “I was unlucky to miss the final in London, my 82m throw is the best result ever to not make a Championship final”.
Hamish won bronze in Glasgow, throwing 81.75m to secure his place on the podium behind Keshorn Walcott (TTO) and Juliua Yego (KEN) and is confident he can do better on the Gold Coast, predicting a throw of 84m should see him challenge for gold.
“I’ve been pretty consistent over the past year, throwing 12 or so A qualifiers leading up to Nationals”
“I’m currently focusing on my timing which has been a bit off but I’m confident I will be at my best for the Games”
Peacock hasn’t finalised his program leading up to the Commonwealth Games as yet but hopes to head to Sydney for the Grand Prix before heading home for the Tasmanian Championships on the 25th March.
The Peacock Squad is a real family affair, with both Hamish and Huw coached by their father Evan with input from their grandfather John. Evan overseas both their strength and conditioning program as well as their throws, while John takes on the role of agility coach for the squad.
