Sally Pearson trumps Cathy Freeman as greatest Aussie track athlete of the modern era

NEW world champion Sally Pearson has gone past Sydney Olympic queen  Freeman as the most prolific track athlete of the modern era.

GOLDEN PERFORMANCE: Pearson crowned world champion

BOLT SHOCKER: Legend collapses during farewell race

DOMINANCE: How Sally took down world record-holder

Pearson’s extraordinary comeback to claim her second world 100m hurdles title in London has sealed her place in Australian sporting folklore.

The 30-year-old missed the past two years because of injury and took the unusual step of coaching herself last year.

While Freeman’s legendary status remains unchallenged, Pearson can now lay claim to having a better record at global championships.

The hurdler’s three major titles came at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2011 and 2017 world championships.

Freeman’s three 400m titles were at the Sydney Olympics and the 1997 and 1999 world championships…

But Pearson has also won two major silver medals, while Freeman only has the one.

Australian head coach Craig Hilliard said Pearson deserves her place among the greats.

“That’s one of the greatest comebacks in Australian history,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable. I don’t get emotional that often but you couldn’t help getting emotional in that with just the whole build-up and what she’s done in the last few weeks…

Source: Sally Pearson world 100m hurdles champion; Sally Pearson has better record than Cathy Freeman; World Athletics Championships in London