Luke Mathews
Australian middle-distance runner
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← Luke Mathews (born 21 June 1995) is a retired 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.
| Personal information | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Australian | |||||||||||
| Born | 21 June 1995 Williamstown, Australia | |||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | |||||||||||
| Weight | 70 kg (154 lb)[1] | |||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||
| Sport | Track and field | |||||||||||
Event(s) | 800 metres, 1500 metres | |||||||||||
| Coached by | Elizabeth Mathews | |||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 800 m: 1:45.16 min (2016) 1500 m: 3:35.57 min (2017) | |||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||
| Updated on 15 April 2018 | ||||||||||||
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]
As a junior he competed for the Werribee and Altona Little Athletics centres.[6]
He was also a talented junior Australian Rules Footballer having a stint with the Western Jets before turning his focus to athletics.[7]
He has completed studying a Bachelor of Commerce (finance) at Deakin University.[8]
Personal bests
- 600 metres – 1:18.05 min (2016)
- 800 metres – 1:45.16 min (2016)
- 1000 metres – 2:19.57 min (2017)
- 1500 metres – 3:35.57 min (2017)
- Mile run – 3:54.53 min (2017)
- 3000 metres – 8:23.10 min (2012)
- 5000 metres – 14:36.80 min (2014)
- Mile run (road) – 4:03.0 (2016)
All information from All-Athletics profile.[9]
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 |
