Perth Track Classic: Peter Bol punches ticket to Commonwealth Games by storming to 800m victoryJosh KemptonThe West AustralianSat, 14 February 2026 7:06PMCommentsComments
Peter Bol has delighted the crowd at his hometown Perth Track Classic by storming to victory in the men’s 800m and producing a time good enough to punch his ticket to head to another Commonwealth Games.
The two-time Olympian was issued a stern challenge by Bob Abdelrahim but had enough in reserve to hold off the Australian junior champion down the straight and win in a time of 1min43.89sec, which was inside the Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 1:44.50.
Bol put an early gap on the field and led from shortly after the first bend to the finish, beating out Abdelrahim (1:44:27) and Great Britain’s third-placed finisher Tiarnan Crorken (1:44:53).
His effort has all but locked in a tilt at a second Commonwealth Games medal in July, but the fastest runner over 800m in Australia’s history told The West Australian his only aim coming in was to run a good race.
“The goal was to run strong, be dominant, win pretty easy,” Bol said.
“I know I have to be at my best every time I race, so that was just really special.
“I’m really impressed with my training group all out here, they’re all running really well, so I’m proud of everyone. We’re getting better, more experienced, so I’m quite happy.”
Several members of Bol’s family were on the sidelines for the event and he quickly ran over to embrace them after securing victory.
“They’ve supported me through all the ups and downs, so I’m super grateful for everyone here,” he said.
Earlier, star sprinter Rohan Browning shockingly failed to qualify for the men’s 100m final.
Browning’s time of 10.37 was good for fourth in his heat but left him outside the top nine who progressed through to the final, which was won by Joshua Azzopardi in 10.09.
WA 14-year-old Charlotte Ehioghae gave a glimpse into her massive potential by running a sizzling 11.22 in the women’s 100m final, netting her a third-placed finish.
Veteran Michelle Jenneke wound back the clock to sail to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles with a time of 12.73.
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