Australian middle-distance star Peter Bol is vowing to go one better and finally claim his first Commonwealth Games gold medal.
The 2022 800m silver medallist in Birmingham, Bol will be out to crown himself as a national champion at the Australian athletics championships in Sydney to seal his spot at this year’s Glasgow Games.
The 32-year-old has already shown glimpses of his best, kicking off the year by clocking one minute 43.89 seconds at the Perth Track Classic - the fifth time he has broken the 1:44 barrier in the past 12 months.
He heads to Sydney Olympic Park this weekend after finishing fourth at last month’s world indoor championships in Poland.
After winning his heat and semi-final, Bol notched 1:45.14 in the final to set an Oceanian short track record but fell short of his first world medal on the final lap behind US sensation Cooper Lutkenhaus.
“I was pretty confident. I don't think I would have got on the plane if I wasn't confident to head to Poland and do well,” Bol said.
“I started this season the fastest time I've ever ran in Australia, so physically in great shape, mentally in great shape, and the rest takes care of itself.
“Being here for another national championship … we go through the domestic season, and you can win, you can lose, but whoever takes it here is the king.”
Bol admitted he isn’t looking to set another personal best in Sydney, with Commonwealth Games qualification the top priority.
A three-time Olympian and finalist at the Tokyo Games, Bol hasn't won an international gold medal yet.
“The goal is always to do one better, and at the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, I was second," Bol said.
“Records get taken, but medals you keep them forever.
“This weekend is not really about times. What's important now is to secure your spot at the Commonwealth Games.
“Whether it's fast, whether it's slow, just be ready to make the moves and win.”
Teenage sensation Gout Gout will also compete in Sydney in the 200m, but won’t vie for a spot in Glasgow after choosing to focus on the world under-20 championships.
Gout will again face off against rival Lachlan Kennedy after being relegated to second in the 200m at last month’s Maurie Plant Meet.
“I was thinking about it, let's make it the best of five,” Bol said of the Gout-Kennedy rivalry.
“I'd like to see Gout get the next one, then I'd like to see it go all the way to five.”
