Commonwealth Games cult hero Scott Martin underlined his Olympic potential last night by producing his third A-qualifying shot of the season to steamroll opposition at the Athletics Australia Cup.
Martin, the ballet-dancing discus gold medallist in Melbourne two years ago, starred at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre with a 20.57-metre hurl to win the shot put.

It was a throw that would have easily qualified him for the 2004 Olympic final in Athens and was just six centimetres from his personal best of 20.63 set at the Sydney Classic a fortnight ago.

Martin's form leading into the national titles and selection trials in Brisbane at the end of the month has him a near certainty to gain a ticket to the Beijing Olympics.

His main challenger, Athens finalist and seven-time national champion Justin Anlezark, was well back in second place with 18.72 in his second comeback meet from a calf injury.

"It's early in the season and there's plenty of time and 21 should be just around the corner," he said.

"I'm throwing very well and I'm in great shape but I'm not training very well."

Fellow Commonwealth champion Bronwyn Thompson ramped up her comeback from knee and back injuries by comfortably taking the long jump with an effort of 6.52 metres while nursing a sore foot.

Victorian Aaron Rouge-Serret running 10.36 seconds won the men's 100 metres that lacked star power after national champion Josh Ross was also a late withdrawal.

Results

		Athlete	Series	Result
1		Scott Martin	19.73m FOUL 19.13m 20.57m FOUL FOUL	20.57
2		Justin Anlezark	17.16m FOUL 18.71m 18.72m 18.89m FOUL	18.89
3		Chris Gaviglio	18.23m 17.96m FOUL 18.63m 18.63m 18.39m	18.63
4		Stuart Gyngell	17.73m FOUL 17.51m FOUL FOUL FOUL	17.73
5		Todd Hodgetts	15.17m 15.53m 15.21m 15.51m FOUL 15.29m	15.53
6		Matt Cowie	13.31m 13.58m 12.90m 12.80m 12.98m 12.50m	13.58