Canterbury Athletes’ Records

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29936, 25 September 1962, Page 12

Canterbury Athletes’ Records

Miss M. A. M. Chamberlain.—Athletics: 880 yards. Broke both the world 880 yards and 800 metre records in March of this year at Perth, with times of 2min 2.3 sec and 2min I.4sec, but was narrowly beaten by Miss D Willis, of Australia. Twice held world 440 yards records for a short time in 1956 and 1958 New Zealand record holder for 440 yards, 400 metres. 880 yards and 800 metres. Represented New Zealand at 1958 Empire Games but was beaten in the heats of 100 and 220 yards National 220 yards champion in 1958, 440 yards in 1957-1960-1961-1962. and 880 yards in 1960-1961-1962. Considered unlucky to miss selection in the 1960 Olympic Games team. Has been placed in national 75 yards and 80 metre hurdles events. Miss L. H. Duncan.—Athletics: Shot put. Has competed in the shadow of Mrs Young for several seasons and finished second to her in the last three national championships. Lacks Mrs Young’s height but has made a marked improvement each season. Her best effort last year of 48ft in an exhibition attempt earns her second ranking in the Empire and her best official put of 46ft sin ranks her third behind Mrs Young and Mrs S. Allday, of England 1. B. Roberts.— Wrestling: Light-weight. Nine times winner of the Canterbury lightweight title and New Zealand champion in the weight on three occasions Roberts is one of the most skilful and experienced competitors in the country. As a scientific wrestler he is held in high regard: at the national championships earlier this month he won the H. M Allan Cup for the most scientific wrestler He is the present holder of the Canterbury South Island and New Zealand light-weight titles. Represented New Zealand in Australia 1959 and at the world championships in Yokohama last vear Miss L. Curtis.— Athletics: High jump The youngest member of the athletics team and who has yet to win a senior national or'provincial high jump ’title Finished third In the national event in 1961 and was second to Miss L E Anderson, of Canterbury. this year Most notable success was in February of this year when she jumped sft 7in to beat Miss Anderson into third place on a count back in the Trans-Tasman Cup meeting in Auckland This effort has been beaten

by only four Australian and one English competitor in the Empire this year Miss Curtis is a student at Christchurch Teachers' Training College.

R. D. Tait.— Athletics: Shot put and discus Formerly of Otago but recently joined the Technical club and is training under Mr V Breidus A former junior shot put champion and record holder, he has made great advancement this season Became the second New Zealander to throw over 170 ft in the discus and put the shot more than 50ft Runner up to L R Mills in both national events in March Best efforts: shot put, 51ft lOJin: discus, 170 ft lOin Is stationed in Christchurch with the Army

Mrs V. I. Young.— Athletics: Shot put and discus The present Empire Games shot put champion and national title holder since 1956 Only woman in the Empire to have bettered 50 feet and currently ranked tenth on world lists after being ranked fourth last year New Zealand record holder with an effort of 54ft sJin Represented New Zealand in 1956 Olympic Games (fifth in shot put), and in 1960 Olympic Games (fourth in shot put and tenth in discus) Mrs Young finished third in the discus throw in the 1958 Empire Games and hr won national titles in the event in 1957-1958-1961-1962 Best performance 171 ft 2Jin Currently ranked second in the Empire Mrs Young, won the New Zealand pentathlon title in 1958 and is a former Canterbury champion and record holder in the event Has rt presented New Zealand in shot put and discus events against New South Wales every year since 1959 Aged 25. Mrs Young (formerly Miss Sloper) is married to the former Canterbury high hurdles champion. G R Young Miss S. A. Nicholson.— Swimming:- 440yds freestyle Holder of six Canterbury titles and records and the national record-holder for 880yds and 800 metres freestyle. An outstanding junior, she won the New Zealand 440yds title m 1960 in record time. In 1961. her first season as a senior, was runner-up to L. Moore (Wellington) in all three women’s freestyle finals: was prevented by illness from competing at the 1962 national meeting Earlier in the season had broken the New Zealand senior 440yds freestyle and 440yds medley records Represented New Zealand at the Queensland

state championships last year, gaining three second places in senior freestyle finals. M. K. Boon.— Bowls: Lead in fours. The oldest member of the New Zealand team and the only member of the four not to have won a national title A Christchurch club player, Boon has won five centre titles and last season won the centre’s pairs championship He now becomes a double international, having played cricket for New Zealand against New South Wales in February, 1924 He was wicket-keeper in several Canterbury sides. Boon is a retired public servant