Veteran Aussie sprinter Brendan Matthews has experienced equal parts “agony and ecstasy” after winning the first men’s semi at the 2026 Stawell Gift.
Matthews became the first athlete to ever qualify for five Stawell Gift finals when he won a semi-final epic on Monday with a last-second dip at the line — but likely tore his hamstring in doing so.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Brendan Matthews tears hamstring as he wins Stawell Gift semi-final
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Starting from a handicap of 9.25m, the 35-year-old edged Tom Perry by a matter of inches before pulling up lame and crashing into the turf after the line.
“No athlete’s ever made five Stawell Gift finals until Brendan Matthews has done it today. Can I start with that? Congratulations, mate,” Jason Richardson said to Matthews after the race.
Knowing it was a pyrrhic victory, Matthews’ response was subdued: “Thank you, Richo. Thank you.”
Addressing the elephant in the room, Richardson continued: “There was one final, though, where you didn’t take your place because you were injured.
“You look a little sore now, are you OK?”
Cutting a dejected figure, Matthew admitted: “I think history might be repeating itself. Agony and ecstasy.
“I felt it (my hamstring) go, so I’ll get it tested, but we’ll see how we go.”
Richardson put his hand on Matthews’ shoulder as he added: “Mate, our heart breaks for you. All the hard work.
“Let’s hope the diagnosis is not what you think it is.”
More to come …
