It is one thing to excel in your sport but to hit a personal best in front of a crowd of cheering thousands is a whole other level.
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Competing in the Commonwealth Games’ men’s decathlon on Monday and Tuesday , Goulburn man Kyle Cranston ended the 10 leg event with a personal best for the 1500 metre race and a fifth placing overall.
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Dad Rod Cranston said a “quite sore” Cranston was chuffed with his performance.
“He was very stiff and sore this morning and probably will be for a couple of days yet,” Mr Cranston said.
“He was two points away from a personal best in the javelin and he got it in the 1500 metre.”
Mr Cranston said there was a lot of support for his son, not only from the athletic community and Australian spectators, but the community from Goulburn as well.
“[On Monday night] the stadium was full and the noise when he was doing the high jump was incredible,” he said.
“He had a ball , there was lots of support. Even kids were wanting photos and autographs.”
Cranston was even lucky enough to have four of his school mates come to the games to support him, complete with ‘Team Cranston’ shirts,
“A lot of people don’t go through it so he is very proud to be an Australian,” he said.
Mr Cranston said it was a reminder to the kids of Goulburn of how far they can go.
“I always say he started at Little Athletics at Goulburn, so it can start for anyone there and you never know where you will go.”
With ten events over two days, Mr Cranston said not all athletes are able to compete in all events.
“It is an event of attrition and not everyone finishes,” he said.
Fellow Australian Cedric Dubler took out the Bronze for the event, while gold and silver were taken out by Lindon Victor from Grenada and Pierce Lepage from Canada respectively.
Mr Cranston said the next point of focus for Cranston will be on committing to a two year program to get to try and qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.