Magnificent Seven: Ipswich athletes to watch at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games

Competing at her fifth Commonwealth Games, Acason overcame serious shoulder and neck injuries to make it to the Gold Coast. The Dinmore resident has five Commonwealth medals to her name – gold in Melbourne in 2006, three silvers from Manchester 2002 and bronze at the 2010 Delhi games. She will lift in the +90kg category on the coast, with action starting on Thursday, 5 April at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre.

Born in a Kenyan refugee camp, Deng attended Ipswich Grammar School and could often be seen running the streets of Woodend and Sadliers Crossing as part of his training regime under coach Di Sheppard. The 19-year-old will run the 800m on the coast after winning the B-race qualifying final and being selected ahead of three-time Olympian Jeff Riseley. Athletics action will be held at Carrara Stadium from Sunday, 8 April.

Booval-born Hodgson will take the court as a member of the gold medal favourite Boomers. The former Ipswich Grammar School student is starting centre for the Adelaide 36ers side that is locked in an NBL grand final battle with Melbourne. The basketball prelims tip off at Townsville and Cairns on Thursday, 5 April. The men’s medal matches will be held at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday, 15 April.

A veteran of more than 50 internationals for Australia, Hockeyroo Holzberger will line up for her first Commonwealth Games at Labrador on the Gold Coast. The former Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School student played for Hancock Brothers in the local competition and won gold at the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney. Hockey prelims start on Thursday, 5 April. The women’s medal matches will be held on Saturday, 14 April.

Neale will make her Commonwealth Games debut after winning silver as a member of the 4x200m freestyle relay team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The former St Mary’s College student finished third at the recent Australian trials and will hit the pool at Optus Aquatic Centre in Southport for the 200m freestyle heat on Thursday, 5 April. Photo courtesy of University of the Sunshine Coast, where Neale is studying Sport and Exercise Science.

Rosewood-raised high jumper Purdon will represent Australia at her first Commonwealth Games after being selected ahead of 2014 Glasgow gold medallist Eleanor Patterson. The former Faith Lutheran College student soared at the Australian trials in February, winning the national title with her third and final attempt at 1.86m. In 2014 she broke a 27-year record at the Queensland All Schools Athletics Championships, clearing the 1.86m mark while representing Met West.

Pocket rocket Stephenson will make her Commonwealth Games debut in the 48kg category at Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre on Thursday, 5 April. The Ipswich Hospital nurse is aiming for two personal best lifts on the Gold Coast – 65kg in the snatch and 85kg in the clean and jerk. Ipswich born and bred, the 27-year-old is an accomplished aerial gymnast, performing alongside her twin sister Emma.