After missing last year's Rio Olympics, Sally Pearson has grabbed the first opportunity to get back on the Australian track and field team for the world championships.
The London Olympics 100m hurdles gold medallist has been named in Athletics Australia's (AA) first wave of selections after winning her eighth national title and bettering the qualifying mark in her heat in Sydney on Sunday.
She was among 16 athletes announced on Sunday night for August's world titles in London, in addition to the four previously selected after the 20km walk selection trial in February.
Seven athletes confirmed their selection with performances at the national titles - Pearson, discus-thrower Dani Stevens, javelin-thrower Hamish Peacock, shot-putter Damien Birkinhead, 200m sprinter Ella Nelson, 400m hurdler Lauren Wells and pole-vaulter Kurtis Marschall.
Head coach Craig Hilliard was optimistic the full team would to swell to about 45 members by late July.
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
"You always want more qualifiers as a head coach, you never walk away satisfied," Hilliard said.
"But I think there were some good signs here, a more elite band of athletes."
NEWLY SELECTED ATHLETES:
Damian Birkinhead (men's shot put), Cedric Dubler (men's decathlon), Chris Erickson (men's 50km walk), Nina Kennedy (women's pole vault), Fabrice Lapierre (men's long jump), Kurtis Marschall (men's pole vault), Morgan Mitchell (women's 400m), Ella Nelson (women's 200m), Hamish Peacock (men's javelin), Sally Pearson (women's 100m hurdles), Kelsey-Lee Roberts (women's women's javelin), Dani Stevens (women's discus), Jared Tallent (men's 50km walk), Patrick Tiernan (men's 10,000m), Eloise Wellings (women's 10,000m), Lauren Wells (women's 400m hurdles)
PREVIOUSLY SELECTED ATHLETES:
Dane Bird-Smith (men's 20km walk), Rhydian Cowley (men's 20km walk), Regan Lamble (women's 20Km walk), Beki Smith (women's 20Km walk)
