Tomas Walsh
CHRISTCHURCH
Athletics Canterbury Meeting, Rawhiti Domain – 30 November 2013
Tomas Walsh threw an outstanding personal best shot put of 20.30m, adding 21cm to his Canterbury record. The performance was just eight centimetres short of Jacko Gill’s New Zealand resident and national record. It also achieved the qualifying standard for the World Indoor Championships in Sopot, Poland in March, and the B standard for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.
The 21 year old has been New Zealand senior shot put champion for the past four years in a row. The throw was another step on the international ladder for Walsh, propelling him to a world ranking of 33rd for 2013, and seventh in the Commonwealth. He has now improved his personal best by almost a metre in the past 12 months. Walsh has been in intensive training since his appearances on the European circuit during the northern hemisphere summer, and was ecstatic at the result.
“I didn’t expect to throw that far so early in the season, but hitting the qualifying mark in the first comp of the season really takes the pressure off”, he said.
Walsh now heads to Melbourne later this week to compete in the prestigious Zatopek Classic, before returning home to continue the domestic season. He will remain in the country for the International Track Meet in Christchurch in February.
Walsh spreads his time between Christchurch and Timaru, working part-time as an apprentice builder around his virtually full-time training commitments.
Other highlights from the meeting; Rosa Flanagan 800m 2:15.98, Lauren Eaton SW TJ 10.82 (+1.1), Rebecca Gillett U/18 TJ 10.50 (-0.8), Hayden Hall SM 2kg DT 45.40, Jack Bryant U/18 5kg SP 15.19 and Charlie Gamble 1.5kg DT 52.54.
AUCKLAND
North Harbour Bays 60th Jubilee Meeting, AUT Millennium Stadium – 30 November 2013
In a hammer throwing bonanza Matthew Bloxham celebrated his North Harbour Bays Club’s 60th jubilee in style breaking his New Zealand under 18 record five times during the competition. The recently turned 17 year old added over five metres to his previous record with the 5kg hammer sending the implement out to a massive 79.74m in the final round. Bloxham’s previous best of 74.20 was set in Germany in June on his way to the world youth championships in Ukraine where he finished 11th with 71.77. Interestingly his latest effort would have won the world youth title. He holds all four national age group records, the under 20 and under 19 records with the 6kg hammer.
Bloxham has been close to the record in recent weeks and was confident of achieving a good result.
“I knew that I had a big one out there but I wasn’t sure how far, but I didn’t really think 79 metres. I was happy with 76m in my fourth round and I was going wow, puts me in the top ten in the world rankings, so I was mighty pleased with that.
“But then being able to get that 79.74, it has topped everything this year being able to go to the world youth championships, such an amazing experience spending that time in Europe and now coming to the end of my time with the 5kg hammer it’s an amazing way to top it off,” said Bloxham.
He also had a 5kg SP of 17.68 and a 1.5kg DT of 48.58.
Alexandra Tavernier, the world junior champion from France extended her New Zealand women’s allcomers record set in Hamilton last week by a further 60 centimetres with a throw of 69.63m. Nicole Bradley threw 56.77m.
Nineteen times national senior champion Philip Jensen of Lower Hutt won the senior hammer throw sending the 7.26kg ball out to 59.67.
Jacob Priddey ran well in the windy conditions to post a time of 3m 56.95s in the 1500m and Ariana Lord was equally impressive in the women’s 1500m running 4m 32.50s.
The strong tail wind throughout the day, sometimes gusting over 10mps, assisted Jeffrey Thumath to a 21.87s time in the 200m, Portia Bing clocked 24.55s in the 200m,
Joshua Hawkins was over the 110m hurdles in 14.31s, Nicholas Gerrard was out to 7.69 in the long jump, Sarah Cowley was over the high jump at 1.80, Stephanie Wrathall had her second best ever JT 47.92, Siositina Hakeai DT 53.68, Marshall Hall DT 50.54 and Scott McLaren 43.54 who also had a SP of 14.04 won by Jerram Huston 14.47.
Kyle van der Merwe had a PB 16.08 6kg SP while Benedict Chong Wong had the 5kg SP out to 18.49 and he also had a PB 1.5kg DT of 52.87. Richard Callister 1.75kg DT 47.75 and world masters M50 champion Mark Cumming 6kg HT 51.54.
Auckland City Athletics Meeting, Mt Smart Stadium – 27 November 2013
Peauope Suli M20 400m 53.53 and 100m 11.41 (-0.2). Austen Heuvel 100m 11.16 (-0.2). Aaron Mago U/15 400m 54.54. Finn Mason U/18 3000m 9:13.54. Jono Jackson 5000m 15:15.17, Josh Maisey 15:59.09. Finn Wilson 1500m 4:11.45. Joshua Hawkins 110m H 1067mm 14.86 (-0.9). Sam Ulufonua U/18 1.5kg DT 52.72. Siositina Hakeai 1kg DT 53.43.
TAURANGA
Athletics Waikato Bay of Plenty Meeting, Tauranga Domain – 30 November 2013
National sprint champion for the past two years Joseph Millar won the 100m 10.47 (NWI) and the 200m 21.24 (NWI). Kodi Harman was second in the 200m 21.61 and Michael Goldie third 21.86. Mariah Ririnui won the 200m in 25.42 (NWI). In the 800m Tarryn Davey recorded 2:15.18 and Jessica Bitcheno 2:16.15. Jordan Peters was out to 13.96 (+2.6) in the triple jump and Amy Robinson Y/W LJ 5.63 (+0.1).
WELLINGTON
Athletics Wellington, Newtown Park – 30 November 2013
Montaya Wharehinga U/20 HT 49.08, Tom Quinn U/20 DT 41.10 and HT 47.84. Scott Thomson SM TJ 14.61 (-1.8), Anna Thomson U/20 TJ 11.54 (+1.6). Rebeka Kiwara U/18 100m 12.76 (+1.4) and 200m 26.85 (-2.9). Saravee Sos SM 100m 11.17 (-0.1) and 200m 22.37 (+1.0). Joshua Ledger U/18 400m 50.67, Alison Andrews-Paul U/18 58.10. Marcus Karamanolis U/18 800m 1:57.89, Nathan Tse U/20 1:57.47. Faiyeung Szeto U/18 3000m 9:33.85. Dave Parsons MM 5000m 16:18.91.
NELSON
Athletics Nelson Twilight Meeting, Saxton Field Athletics Track – 29 November 2013
Chris Brake spent much of last year attempting to clear two metres in the high jump. At Friday’s Athletics Nelson Twilight Series Meet, he needed only one attempt. His effort eclipsed the Tasman Centre M20 record held by Cody Thomas. He also won the long jump with 6.35 (+2.4) and triple jump with 14.14.
Dale Pritchard surpassed his own Club and Tasman Centre record in the discus with 49.67. and the shot put with 15.65.
Kai Mason won the M18 shot put with 14.63 and the M18 discus 37.76. Tess Haunch was the winner of the triple jump with 10.75 on her second attempt, but it was slightly wind-aided.
Amanda Fitisemanu managed a near-personal best in winning the women’s 200m in 27.27 and also won the 60m in 8.51 and the 100m in 13.43. Andrew Kennedy won the men’s 100m in 11.56 and 200m in 23.05.
INVERCARGILL
Athletics Southland Meeting, Surrey Park – 30 November 2013
Low key meeting with no wind readings and track hand timed with best performances coming from throwers, in particular Hinewai Collins who broke her own Southand W15, 16 and 17 hammer record with 38.42. She also had a 10.94 PB in shot put. Shot PB also to Emma Ryan, 10.64. Other results: Jack Welsh (MU18) discus 40.69; Atipa Mabonga (WU18) triple jump 11.28, Jade Graham (WU18) 10.46 (NWR); Jared Greig (MU20) long jump 6.19; 1000m Jordan Rackham 2:44.0, Hannah Miller 3:07.0.
WHANGAREI
North Island Masters Championships, ASB Sports Arena Kensington Park – 22/24 November 2013
Among the highlights over the three days were: Ian Calder M55 1500m 4:39.18, 3000m 9:55.57 and 5000m 17:15.90. Mark Cumming M50 HT 50.67 and DT 35.82. Anne Goulter W50 HT 38.83 and 300m H 1:03.31. Chris Waring W70 60m 10.40, 100m 16.17 and 400m 1:23.19. Diane Barrett 3000m W 19:58.37.
HONG KONG
Race to ICC 100 – 1 December 2013
Melissa Moon finished fourth in the race up Hong Kong’s tallest building the International Commerce Centre 100 floors and 2120 steps in 15:59. Moon retained second place in the vertical world rankings for 2013 with 324 points behind Australia’s Suzanne Walsham who scored 420 points. Moon’s next race is the run up the Empire State Building early next year.
ISLE OF MAN
Haldane Fisher Syd Quirk Half Marathon Race Walk – 24 November 2013
London Olympian Quentin Rew won the half marathon (21.1km) race walk in 1:32:48. He won by 14 minutes and took 12 minutes off the Island record.
ROAD RACES AROUND THE COUNTRY
Auckland
Pakuranga 5km, 25 November: Stephen Langdon 17:47, Damian Brannigan 18:15, Adam Berry 18:23.
O’Hagan’s Viaduct 5km, 26 November: Matt Murphy 17:09, Chris Wharam 17:36, Richard Dolman 17:39. Pip Meo 18:37.
Rat Race 5km, Takapuna, 27 November: Rob Leach 18:58, Tristan Leer-Baker 19:02, Paul Clark 19:05. Kezir Kelly 20:57.
Owairaka 5km in the Park, Mt Roskill, 27 November: Darren Meredith 17:50, Scott Verran 19:23, Mike Cross 19:26.
YMCA 10km in the Domain, 28 November: Andrew Shrevee 37:55, Richard Hellaby 38:21.
Cornwall Park 5km, 30 November: Robbie Johnston 17:01, Daniel Guan-Ming Chen 18:59.
Hamilton
Eastside 5km, 25 November: Oliver Smith 15:46, Jai Davis-Campbell 17:11, Ken Hodgson 17:26. Kovo Kowalewski 18:47, Katie Stone 19:38.
Lake Park 5km, 30 November: Michael Mannings 17:52, Norm Robins 19:15.
Tauranga
Smiths Sports Shoes Everyone’s 5km, 28 November: John Caie 17:40, Lucas Fairweather 18:56, Dan Smith 19:05.
Smiths Sports Shoes Trail Run, TECT All Terrain Park, 24 November: 30km; Sam Clark 2:12:21, Bobby Dean 2:13:21, Russell Lake 2:13:35. Women Anna Barrett 2:46:38. 15km; David Sullivan 1:03:38. Michelle Pollard 1:21:08. 10km; Andy Wilson 40:15. Emma Hyett 46:31. 5km; Oliver Brown 21:00. Sophie McConnell 23:27.
Wellington
Lifestyle Sports Waterfront 5km Series, 26 November: Martin van Barneveld 15:29, Adam Carlson 16:18, Dan Hunt 16:39, Grant McLean 17:33. Rebecca Keat 18:16, Michelle Van Looy 19:34. Walk Fraser Samson 30:17.
Lower Hutt Parkrun 5km, 30 November: Jeff Culver 18:10, Andrew Crosland 18:51, Sarah Gardner 18:54.
Porirua Parkrun 5km, 30 November: John Justice 19:10, Warwick Smith 19:19.
Nelson
The Honest Lawyer 5km, 25 November: Dan Bush 17:58, Simon Trotter 18:54.
Classic Hits Mahana Half Marathon, 1 December: Simon Mardon 1:15:14, Kim Hogarth 1:15:39, Brian Kemp 1:19:45. Cheryl Young 1:36:33, Tessa Holland 1:42:38. 10km; Daniel Busch 36:49, Justin Knauf 39:58, Paula Canning 40:00.
OTHER
North Harbour Bays Athletics Inc. 60th Jubilee
The Club celebrated its Jubilee with a dinner at the AUT Millennium Institute on Saturday evening. The Club’s foundations started at Freyberg Park in Browns Bay in the early 1950’s moving to Windsor Park Mairangi Bay in 1974 and then to the new all weather track at its current location in 1983.
President and Life Member and the driving force behind the success of the Club Graeme Avery said that it has been an amazing Club to have been involved with.
“The things that we’ve done together have been astonishing, an incredible group of people in all sectors of the sport,” he said.
And the message that he left with the Club at the end of the evening, which has been Graeme’s hallmark in both sport and in business was:
“To move on you’ve got to be doing something every year or at least every second year and then you’ll get all the people following. You’ve got to be doing something special all the time – something new, re-invention is the key word.”
Northland Sports Awards – 29 November 2013
Mary Davies, marathon representative at the Moscow world championships in August, won the Sportswoman of the Year and was also name Female athlete (code) of the year. Ian Babe was made Coach of the Year and Harry Linford won the male athlete (code) of the year.
Speak Your Mind