QUEENSLANDER Isaac Dunmall just wants to have some fun after achieving what he thought he might have lost the opportunity to do – win the Stawell Gift on Monday.
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Dunmall admitted after donning the coveted sash that he had believed he might not get another chance at victory in the 120m classic after finishing down the track in the 2014 final.
He said he had cramped in the calves while waiting to face the starter on that day.
There were no such problems at Central Park this time.
Dunmall, who started off 6.75m, said he had been confident his body would stand up. And it did, with him highlighting that the experience of two years ago being invaluable in the victory..
“I didn’t think this day would come.
“This is just crazy,” he said after pocketing $40,000.
Dunmall came off 12.33-second semi-final win to edge out fellow Queenslander Tjimarri Sanderson-Milera (5.75m) in a diving finish.
Each crashed to the ground after throwing themselves at the tape, stopping the clock on 12.17 seconds – the fastest time of the three-day carnival.
Backmarker Jack Hale (3.25m) finished third after qualifying with the fastest semi-final winning time of 12.22 seconds.
Dunmall, when asked what the future held for him, said he had no idea.
He said while being aware that previous winners had gone on to shine at state and national level, he just wanted to have some fun.
"One step at a time. It’ll just depend on training.”
Ballarat’s only semi-final Liam Procaccino missed out on making the final after finishing second to Ed Ware in a semi-final.
SEMI-FINAL WINNERS
Semi-final 1: Jack Hale, Tasmania (3.25m) 12.22
Semi-final 2: Ryan Bedford, Queensland (4m) 12.44
Semi-final 3: Matthew Rizzo, Victoria (8m) 12.45
Semi-final 4: Isaac Dunmall, Queensland (6.75m) 12.33
Semi-final 5: Ed Ware, Victoria (9.25m) 12.38
Semi-final 6: Tjimarri Sanderson-Milera, Queensland (5.75m) 12.3
FINAL
HOW THEY FINISHED
Isaac Dunmall 12.165
Tjimarri Sanderson-Milera 12.186
Jack Hale 12.292
Edward Ware 12.298
Matthew Rizzo 12.335
Ryan Bedford 12.373
MEANWHILE Olympic hurdler Lauren Wells claimed her first sash in seven visits to the Stawell Gift Carnival.
Wells, who was a scratching from the women’s gift, came off the back mark to claim the women’s 400m final on Monday.