Jayden Collins
Aussie sprint star Rohan Browning has narrowly missed out on a 100-metre Commonwealth Games medal by just 0.06 seconds.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘The Flying Mullet’, Browning ran the fastest 100 metres ever by an Australian at an Olympics at the Tokyo games and had high hopes for a medal in Birmingham.
He was off to a fast start in the men’s 100-metre final, however, eventually fell behind the race leaders.
Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala finished with a blistering time of 10.02 for the gold medal, beating out second-place South African runner Akani Simbine by 0.11 seconds.
Bronze medalist Yupun Abeykoon from Sri Lanka finished with a time of 10.14, in what was a close final race.
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Browning finished with a time of 10.20 and ultimately fell just 0.06 seconds short of that highly desired Commonwealth Games medal.
Browning’s personal best 100-metre time came in the opening-round heat of the Tokyo Olympics where he finished with a time of 10.01.
A time that would have been enough to secure him first place in the final of this year’s games.
However, Browning cast a disappointed figure as he crossed the line.
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Speaking after the race, the 24-year-old said: “I’m not happy with it.
“It was just an ugly, painful kind of race and it’s one of those tough nights.
“A month ago there’s no way I saw myself in this final. I try to take each win and race in my stride but once you’re here you just want to be on that podium. That’s what it’s all about.
“I thought about packing it in after worlds and just getting back home and into some training for next year and I am glad I decided to persist. I think one of the lessons I have learned is persistence is so much more important than patience. You have just got to keep trying things and keep at it.
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“Today there were a few things I could have done to be up there but I think I was bested today. I need more training in my legs and I need a big winter off-season.”
Browning’s time of 10.10 seconds he made in the heats of the Games would have been enough to secure a silver medal in the final.
He added: “It’s nice to make a final and go through rounds of running. It’s a step in the right direction, I would’ve loved to be on the podium.
“I’m not satisfied by any means, but not too beat up. It’s been one of those seasons, and always learning.”