Athletics: Thrilled Willis eyes double

Nick Willis. Photo / Getty Images

Nick Willis will aim for a special double at the Commonwealth Games, confirming yesterday he will compete in the 1500m and 5000m.

The 2008 Olympic 1500m silver medallist achieved a new personal best in the longer event on Friday and simultaneously met the qualifying B standard for the Games. He recorded 13m 20.33s over 5000m at a track meeting in Los Angeles, seven seconds faster than his previous best, set in 2005.

"I didn't sleep at all - buzzing after the race," said a thrilled Willis. "I'm going to give this [5000m] thing a real crack. Glasgow will see me doing the [1500m] and [5000m]."

Willis has limited pedigree but some potential in 5000m. He took New Zealand titles in 2011 and 2012 and had considered the double at the London Olympics.

The 31-year-old would fancy his chances in a slow, tactical race - especially if it came down to the last few laps and turned into a quasi-1500m race. He could also take some inspiration from John Walker, who switched to 5000m in the twilight of his career and was good enough to make the final at the 1984 Olympics.

Willis will be desperate for some top performances in Glasgow. After the incredible high of the Beijing Olympics and a stunning gold medal in 2006 in Melbourne, Willis had to settle for Commonwealth bronze four years later and a disappointing ninth at the London Olympics.

Two other New Zealanders have qualified for the Games in track events. In the same Los Angeles meeting, Nikki Hamblin had her best performance since 2011 in the 1500m, recording 4m 07.07s to be comfortably under the Glasgow Games B standard of 4m 09s and Julian Matthews ran a personal best (3m 38.2s) to be favourite for the second 1500m spot beside Willis.