I

have just returned from three weeks holiday in Australia so have been out of touch with some of the happenings whilst I was overseas.

I think the big development has been the performances of former club athlete High Jumper, Hamish Kerr, which has seen him recognised on the world scene.

After winning the Oceania Championships with a New Zealand record equalling 2.30m clearance in Townsville last month he was invited to compete against the world’s best at the London round of the Diamond League. The World University Games took place prior to this competition and unfortunately things did not quite go to plan as he injured his ankle in the qualifying round and the decision was made not contest the final.

At the Diamond League he finished 7th with a 2.20m clearance before his injury forced him to withdraw from the competition. It was quite heartening to see that the competition was won in a height equal to Hamish’s best so he is certainly going to be competitive at this level and must go to the World Championships confident of doing well.

It was great to see that our top sprinter, Zac Topping, (who was on holiday in the UK) at the competition offering support.

* * * * * * * *

Brayden Grant got to represent New Zealand at the Pacific Games in Samoa. Despite having to compete in energy sapping temperatures in excess of 30 degrees, he was able to achieve a personal best 49.17s for seventh place in the final. This time betters the New Zealand Masters record for his age.

Brayden, pictured at the start of the 400m final at the

Pacific Games in Samoa

* * * * * * * *

Unlike many team sports, athletics is very much a user pays sport with athletes called upon to meet most of the costs to represent their country at competition overseas. It is very common to see athletes needing to seek funding from the likes of a give a little page.

Jack Lewer, who is the World Junior Para shot put champion, is one such athlete needing to raise $13,500 so that he can compete at the World Para Championships in Dubai in November.

I was delighted to see that this target has been achieved with excess funds now

Newsletter #45

Results and news from Thursday 27th

June to Wednesday 24th July 2019

available to help cover some of the additional costs not covered and will help provide Jack with a support person.

This is fantastic news and a big thanks must go to all those that have contributed to achieving this result.

* * * * * * * *

Six Manawatu Wanganui athletes have been selected in the NZ Secondary Schools team to travel to the Australian XC Champs 24-26 August being held at Kembla Grange, NSW.

Congratulations to Rebecca Baker, Sarah Lambert, Liam Back, Andres Hernandez, George Lambert and Andre Le Pine-Day.

* * * * * * * *

It is great to see that as well as the individual entries, Athletics Manawatu Wanganui will be competitive in the teams’ competition at the New Zealand Cross Country Championships to be held in Upper Hutt next weekend.

The centre will be represented by Nick Johnston, Josh Dunstan-Brown (Feilding Moa), Chris Lines (Wanganui Harriers), and David Lovelock (PNAHC) in the senior men’s race. Kara Macdermid (PNAHC) the centres sole entry in the senior women’s event must be a definite medal prospect after her recent victory in the North Island Cross Country Championships.

With Noah Macdermid having to withdraw due to injury this will leave Theo Purdy (PNAHC) as the sole local entry in the men under 20 event. Feilding Moa athletes Andre Le Pine-Day, Samuel Stichbury and Nelson Doolan are joined by George Lambert (Wanganui Harriers) in making up a strong under 18 men’s team whilst the women’s under 18 team will see Sarah Lambert (Wanganui Harriers) joined by Feilding Moa’s Stephanie Walker, Bella Ives and Kate Wasley.

Masters Grade will see the following entries:

Men 35-49: Josh Payne (Wanganui Harriers), AJ Cornwall (Feilding Moa) Masters Men 50+: Andrew Davenport (PNAHC), Paul Wasley (Feilding Moa), Neil Mayo (Wanganui Harriers), Rob Dabb (Feilding Moa) Masters Women 35-49: Tamara Reed (Feilding Moa) Masters Women 50+: Dale MacMillan (PNAHC), Aimee Perrett, Jo Speary (Feilding Moa), Di Matthews (Wanganui Harriers)

* * * * * * * *

The second of the winter held in Masterton earlier in the month saw some good performances despite numbers being down.

Start of the men’s 100m sprint, taken out by Jordan Peters (left)

Jordan Peters took out the 100m in 11.28s from Isaac Oliver and Pavinee Watson clocking 13.18s to win the women’s race from Monique Gorrie’s 13.85s. Monique, later in the day, won the 400m in a very classy 62.07s. Angela Dukes won the 1000m in 3m.24.70s (a 10 second PB!). Maiah Gilbert continued her great high jump form, clearing 1.50m.

Angela Jukes early in the race before storming to a 10 second PB in the 1000m

One of the sports inspirations is Whanganui’s Francie Bayler who made the most of her day in Masterton throwing the discus 9.72m, the hammer 13.29m and winning the long jump with a best leap of 2.52m not a bad effort for a 79 year old.