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Troy Makes The Grade

Brilliant Blue Stars road walker, Troy Sundstrom has finally silenced his critics with a brilliant 50km road walk, held recently in Melbourne.

Sundstrom, one of the most promising junior athletes, having represented at World Junior level, has competed well in senior open competition, but by his own standards has failed to achieve greater heights in open competition. That is, until now. Suffering from a bad leg, Sundstrom had time out to remove a cyst from his leg, but manage to prepare well for the recent Australian 50km road walk titles, and selection trials.

Bringing together one of the best fields ever for an Australian 50km title, all three place getters are of Olympic games representation, with Olympic medallist Nathan Deakes taking out the title. Sundstrom 5th spot overall has earn't him the NSW State title, along with the Victorian title, but more importantly, a B qualifying for the Commonwealth Games and the World Walking Cup title, both to be held in 2006.

Sundstroms qualifying mark has now moved him into the top bracket of race walkers, and finally, recognition from his fellow walkers and Athletics Australia as a force to be reckoned with.

Having not contested a 50km before, one of the most grueling athletic events, the result was even more creditable, considering other place getters all have contested this grueling event before. Sundstrom is one of the youngest in the top bracket and on experience in this event is considered a novice.

The 50km walk looks to be the event Sundstrom can now concentrate on with the knowledge he has to only improve 5 more minutes to meet the A qualifying mark for Commonwealth Games selection.

With walking now one of the most competitive of events for Australian athletes, an A qualifying mark is well within this talented, determined young 24 year old, although he realises it is going to be hard to make the talented team.

If determination, and the will to stay with the demanding event, is any indication, then Sundstrom could become the first walker from the area to represent his country in Commonwealth Games and World Cup.

His junior years are now well and truly behind him, but the experience gained from those years has resulted in him being highly competitive in his first year of 50km road walking.

Sundstrom will now have the knowledge of preparation, tactics, and race walking with the best, and will now concentrate of gaining that extra speed to meet the A Qualifying mark.