Josh Azzopardi's decision to prioritise the defence of his Oceania 100m title has paid off in a big way, with the Australian making an increasingly compelling case for an individual spot in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games team.
Azzopardi overcame a sluggish start to storm home and claim the win in 10.21 seconds at Arafura Stadium on Wednesday.
It was two hundredths of a second slower than the 26-year-old Sydneysider had run in the semi-final earlier in the day, but the victory was the main thing with the Commonwealth Games squad to be named in early June.
Sub-10 second man Lachie Kennedy earned automatic Games selection off the back of his 100m national title triumph in April, with Azzopardi right in the frame to also be picked in the individual event as well as the 4x100m relay.
"I've done whatever I can and now it's up to the selectors," he told AAP.
"I'd love to represent Australia in the Commonwealth Games in both events.
"We're breaking the national relay record with ease at the moment.
"If we can run 37.6 (seconds) we're in the box seat for medals on the world stage."
Azzopardi is making a name for himself as an Oceania championships specialist, having also won the blue-riband sprint title two years ago in Suva, a result that helped earn him a dream Olympic debut in Paris.
"Winning this title again gives me great world ranking points for a couple of years, which is massive," he said.
"Knowing that I won this event two years ago, I really wanted to come and defend my title.
"I did that and I'm very happy."
Fellow Australian Jackson Rowe finished second in 10.26 after pushing Azzopardi all the way to the line.
New Zealander Tiann Whelpton was third in 10.30 and Papua New Guinea record holder Pais Wisil hung tough for fourth in 10.39.
The other big winner at Arafura Stadium on Wednesday was Australian Yual Reath, who dominated the men's high jump with 2.28m, easily his best performance of the year.
It was a huge confidence boost for the rangy Victorian, who no heighted at the golden grand prix meet in Tokyo last weekend.
"I was thinking of this as a redemption competition," said the 26-year-old Reath.
"Throughout the domestic season I've been struggling a bit - 2.22m was my best and I never jumped any higher.
"We ended up changing my run up, we moved it in so I ran a tighter corner and it worked.
"At the start I was so nervous, it was like Tokyo, I couldn't even feel my feet.
"But once I got that first jump, I was like 'let's go'."
Roman Anastasios (2.20m) and Oceania record holder Brandon Starc (2.15m) rounded out an all-Australian podium.
New Zealander Lauren Bruce claimed the women's hammer throw title with 70.64m, relegating Australia's Stephanie Ratcliffe to second with 68.12m.
