Ash Moloney, Australia’s Tokyo Olympic decathlon bronze medallist, has ditched the 10-event grind for a high-risk, high-reward switch to the 400m hurdles—proving his versatility with rapid progress and a shot at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The End of an Era: Why Moloney Walked Away from Decathlon
Ash Moloney was the face of Australian athletics after his dramatic bronze in Tokyo 2021, where he surged past the field in the 1500m with Cedric Dubler’s vocal support pushing him to the podium. That moment, etched in Olympic lore, marked the first decathlon medal for Australia in history. But now, at 26, Moloney has made a stunning pivot: he’s abandoned the decathlon, the event that brought him fame, for the 400m hurdles.
His reasoning is as pragmatic as it is personal. A decade of decathlon—10 grueling events, each with its own physical toll—left him battered. Foot, hamstring, knee, and adductor injuries plagued his post-Tokyo years, culminating in a 2025 season spent entirely in recovery. “Every time I high jumped I was in agony,” Moloney admitted. The mental strain was just as heavy: “I was more nervous about hurting myself again than I was just competing, having fun.”
But there’s another factor: boredom. “Honestly, I was bored with decathlon,” he said. After a decade in the discipline, the challenge had lost its edge. The 400m hurdles offered something fresh—a test of speed, technique, and precision rather than sheer endurance. “I’m used to just absolutely flogging myself,” Moloney explained. “Now I have to work on form, which is all new to me, work on stride lengths.”
From Zero to Sub-50: A Meteoric Rise in a New Discipline
Moloney’s transition has been nothing short of remarkable. His first competitive 400m hurdles race in February 2026 saw him cross the line in a modest 57 seconds. Just two weeks later, in Hobart, he shattered expectations with a sub-53-second run. By April, he was consistently breaking 52 seconds. Then, at the national championships, he achieved the unthinkable: a sub-50-second finish, placing third behind rising stars Matthew Hunt (19) and Kyle Bennett (22).
His progress is a testament to his natural athleticism. “I’ve been ambidextrous my whole life, I can sprint hurdle on both legs,” Moloney said. “It almost just seemed like why not? Why not give it a try? Get that question out of my head.” His ambition is clear: “I believe I can make Comm Games. I believe I can go 48 [seconds].”
This rapid improvement has positioned him as a frontrunner for the Oceania Championship in Darwin, where he’ll face off against Hunt and Bennett—the same duo he trailed at nationals. A strong performance there could secure his spot at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a stage that once seemed impossible for a former decathlete.
The Dubler Divergence: A Partnership That Shaped and Split
Moloney’s journey is inextricably linked to Cedric Dubler, his decathlon teammate and the man whose screams fueled his Tokyo bronze. Their dynamic, however, has evolved. Post-Tokyo, the two chose different paths—different training environments, different coaches—and their once-close friendship faded. Moloney has been tight-lipped about the details, offering only a “no comment” when pressed on their current relationship.
Dubler, now 31, remains in the decathlon but has faced his own challenges, including an adductor strain that sidelined him at the 2026 nationals. Instead of competing, he attended as a videographer for the Queensland Academy of Sport, blending his passion for athletics with a budding career in content creation. “I obviously really love athletics, so I asked them if I could come down, cover some stuff for them,” Dubler said. “It’s work experience in a sense, which is a pretty cool work experience.”
Despite the distance, Dubler’s respect for Moloney’s talent endures. “After his first [400m hurdles] race, there were a few question marks about how it would go, but every time he steps foot on the track, he continues to improve, and continues to impress,” Dubler noted. “It’s always a risk changing event, but hopefully it pays off.”
What’s Next for Moloney? The Road to Commonwealth Games and Beyond
Moloney’s reinvention is more than a change of event—it’s a bet on his future. Under new coach Andrew Iselin, who also oversees sprint star Lachie Kennedy, he’s found renewed energy and focus. The hurdles, with their demand for technical precision, offer a stark contrast to the decathlon’s brute-force approach. For Moloney, it’s a chance to redefine himself.
His immediate goal is clear: qualify for the Commonwealth Games. But his long-term aspirations are even bolder. A sub-48-second time in the 400m hurdles would place him among the world’s elite, a far cry from his decathlon days. If he succeeds, he’ll join a new generation of Australian athletes—like Gout Gout and Lachie Kennedy—leading the charge toward the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
For now, all eyes are on Darwin. The Oceania Championship will be his first major test in the hurdles, and a strong showing could cement his place in the Commonwealth Games team. Whether he achieves his 48-second goal or not, one thing is certain: Ash Moloney is no longer defined by his past. He’s writing a new chapter—one hurdle at a time.
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