PEOPLE IN SPORTS NEWS Johnson’s Time World Class

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31378, 25 May 1967, Page 15

PEOPLE IN SPORTS NEWS Johnson’s Time World Class

For the second time this month, the former New Zealand hurdles champion, R. V. Johnson, of Dunedin, has returned a world-class time for 440 yards hurdles at meetings in the United States.

But, for the second time, with only one watch, instead of the required three, on him, the time cannot be claimed as a New Zealand record. A week after being timed at 60.6sec—O.3sec faster than his own New Zealand record —Johnson clocked 50.8 sec when he came third in the West Coast Relays 440 yards hurdles in Fresno, California, on May 13. These two times place the New Zealander among the top six quartermile hurdlers In the world for 1967 and considerably brighten his chances of selection for the Commonwealth team to meet the United States in Los Angeles on July 8 and 9. (P.A., Dunedin.) Suspended A schoolteacher, P. Morgan, who took time off without permission to go on the Cardiff Rugby club’s three-week tour of South Africa, has been suspended by the Monmouthshire education committee. Morgan, a secondary school

physical education teacher, heard on his return home on Tuesday that the committee had suspended him pending a disciplinary hearing on June 1.

“It was a great tour, and now I am prepared to face the music,” he said. Morgan had been refused leave to go on the tour on the grounds that he was not representing his country. By flouting the ruling he could be dismissed or sued for breach of contract.—(PA.Rtr., Cardiff.) Defending The Empire heavy-weight professional wrestling champion, J. da Silva, of Auckland, will defend his title against B. Bekkar, of Wellington, in Wellington this evening.

Over the last month, da Silva has been working in the bush in preparation for the bout, and has lost 61b. “I’m right at my peak,” he said yesterday. At 35, da Silva is 11 years older than Bekkar, although be says he does not expect this to be a disadvantage. His last title defence was against A. Hobman in Wellington last year. The bout

ended in a draw.—(P.A., Wellington.) One More The French world recordbreaker, M. Jazy, who retired last October, will return next month for one international race, against R. Clarke, of Australia, “World Sports” reported in its latest issue. The race, over 5000 metres will be held at Sochaux, near Paris, on June 17. But Jazy is adamant that he will run only the one race and is not available for any other international events even if selected. "Clarke is a friend of mine,” Jazy explained. “That is why he is the only foreign champion with whom I will race. “I have no inclination to compete against men like Keino and Roelants.”—(PA. London). Top Winner With a total of £35,440, A. Palmer Is the leading moneywinner on the current United States professional golf circuit.

He is followed by D. Sanders (£27,840), G. Brewer (£25,000), F. Beard (£23,480), J. Boros (£23,420), G. Archer (£21,460), A. Yancey (£16,590) R. Goalby (£16,280), G. Knudson (£14,330), and D. Sikes (£13,230). Invited The international golfers, W. Casper, B. Hogan, J. Nicklaus and A. Palmer, have been invited to compete in the New Zealand Open championship at Hamilton, from November 15 to 18. The New Zealand lefthander, R. J. Charles, is already a certainty. “We want to get prestige golfers out here to play in the Open and the rest of the New Zealand circuit,” said the immediate past president of the Hamilton Golf Club, Mr D. G. Bullick. Others who have been invited are S. Snead, M. Rudolph, G. Player, and R. Coles the. 18-year-old South African. —(P.A., Hamilton).