Luke Mathews
Personal information
NationalityAustralian
Born (1995-06-21) 21 June 1995 (age 28)
Williamstown, Australia
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Weight70 kg (154 lb)[1]
Sport
SportTrack and field
Event(s)800 metres, 1500 metres
Coached byElizabeth Mathews
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)800 m: 1:45.16 min (2016)
1500 m: 3:35.57 min (2017)
Medal record
Representing  Australia
Men's athletics
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Gold Coast 800 m
Updated on 15 April 2018.

Luke Mathews (born 21 June 1995) is an Australian middle-distance runner who competes in the 800 metres and 1500 metres. He represented his country in both events at the 2016 Summer Olympics. As well as in the 4 × 800 m at the 2017 IAAF World Relays, the 1500m at the 2017 IAAF World Championships and in both events at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He also competed for Australia at 2019 World Athletics Championships in the 800 m.

Athletics career

Born in Williamstown, Melbourne, Mathews made his international debut at the 2014 World Junior Championships in Athletics, being a semi-finalist in the 800 metres.[2] He made his breakthrough at senior level in 2016. After a win at the Hunter Track Classic he then ran world record holder David Rudisha to the line at the Melbourne Track Classic, recording a personal best of 1:45.16 minutes. It was the fastest time for the 800 m by an Australian in Australia for nearly 35 years.[3][4]

He was selected to compete for Australia at the 2016 Summer Olympics in both 800 m and 1500 m. He was eliminated in the heats stages.[2] He competed for Australia at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in the 1500 m. He finished 1st in his Heat with the overall fastest time. He was just eliminated in the Semi-Final. He competed for Australia at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in both 800 m and 1500 m. He finished 3rd with a Bronze Medal in the 800m Final. He also made the Final of the 1500m. He competed for Australia at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in the 800 m. He finished 7th in his Heat.

Personal life

Mathews grew up in Werribee and Newport and attended St Kevin's College.[5]

He was also a talented junior Australian Rules Footballer having a stint with the Western Jets before turning his focus to athletics.[6]

He is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce/Laws at Deakin University.[7]

Personal bests

All information from All-Athletics profile.[8]

International competitions

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
2014 World Junior Championships Eugene, United States 8th (sf) 800 m 1:55.92
2016 Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 7th (h) 800 m 1:50.17
13th (h) 1500 m 3:44.51
2017 World Championships London, United Kingdom 19th (sf) 1500 m 3:40.91
2018 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, Australia 3rd 800 m 1:45.60
12th 1500 m 3:47.04
2019 World Championships Doha, Qatar 39th (h) 800 m 1:50.16

References

  1. ^ a b Luke Mathews Archived 26 August 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Rio2016. Retrieved on 2016-08-19.
  2. ^ a b Luke Mathews. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-08-21.
  3. ^ Gleeson, Michael (2016-03-06). Athletics: Luke Mathews in the frame for Rio Olympics. Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved on 2016-08-21.
  4. ^ Athlete Biography. Australian Olympic Committee. Retrieved on 2016-08-21.
  5. ^ "Luke Mathews racing to Rio Olympics in front of John Landy". 26 February 2016.
  6. ^ "The Journey: Luke Mathews – One Two Fade".
  7. ^ "Luke Mathews". Deakin University. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  8. ^ Luke Mathews. All-Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-08-21.

External links

2016 Australia Olympic Athletics Team
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