Final step towards Games glory for N.Z. athletes?

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33434, 16 January 1974, Page 11

Final step towards Games glory for N.Z. athletes?

New Zealand's contenders for Commonwealth Games gold will have an ideal opportunity to round off their competitive preparations during the Bank of New Zealand-sponsored track and field meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park on Sunday.

This country has traditionally been strong in middle-distance running and the recent form of T. J. L. Quax, R. P. Dixon, and J. Walker suggests that they are capable of adding further lustre to New Zealand’s already Impressive international record in events ranging from 800 metres to 5000 metres.

Dixon and Quax, however, will probably be resting from Sunday's meeting. Since taking part in the memorable mile at Wanganui earlier this month, they have restricted their build-ups to time trials. Both must be rated as outstanding candidates to triumph against their overseas rivals. Quax is the

top-ranked Commonwealth athlete over 5000 metres, | while Dixon’s mile in 3min I 55.55ec at Wanganui was a welcome return to the commanding form which won him a bronze medal at the Olympic Games at Munich in 1972, The very impressive Walker has really come of age during the summer. Obviously benefiting from a tour of Europe, Walker beat Dixon in the New Zealand 1500 metres championship at Queen Elizabeth II Park six weeks ago and again showed his liking for the Chevron 440 track with a pleasing Imin 45.35ec run over 800 metres just after Christmas. Walker's powerful physique and remarkable finishing sprint has earned him the third fastest 800 metres time in the Commonwealth this season and he is indeed a more than adequate understudy to Dixon over the metric mile. His second to Dixon at Wanganui recently was achieved in 3min 55.8 sec, thus continuing his sequence of noteworthy performances leading up to the Games, Although the potential of Quax, Dixon and Walker will almost certainly make their events the glamour contests of the Games, New Zealand will be well served in other track and field spheres; the appearances of the New Zealand team members in the sponsored meeting on Sunday should provide a more accurate guide to their chances of success. The men’s sprinting spotlight has been taken by B. Smith, a forceful winner of the 100 metres and 200 metres titles at the nation-

al championships and this country’s main hope to match the explosive West Indians over 200 metres and 400 metres.

Conversely, Mrs W. L. Brown and Miss G. Wooten have shared the major spoils in the women’s sprints, Mrs Brown having dominated the 100 metres contests'and Miss Wooten claiming more attention over 200 metres. However, they face a daunting assignment in keeping pace with their more highly-regarded British and Australian rivals. Successful come-backs of quite different natures were made by two of New Zealand’s hurdles representatives. Miss B. Matthews gave little evidence of her

lay-off from top competition when she comfortably regained the national crown, but P. D. Mills had to set a New Zealand record of 14.3 sec to earn belated inclusion in the Games squad. The triumphs and tribulations of the Mills family have become common knowledge in just about every other household in the country over the last few months. The successful last-minute bid made by P. D. Mills enabled him to join his mother, Mrs C. Mills (400 metres), and sister, Miss D. Mills (high jump), in the Games team, but there has been considerable surprise and disappointment at the discarding of L. R. Mills after such long and notable service in throwing events.

A compatriot of Mills in many international contests, R. D. Tait’s experience and basic talent rates well in comparison to his opponents in the discus, especially, and shot put. The battering that M. Cheater gave the national hammer throw standard at Queen Elizabeth II Park during the New Zealand championships also augers well for his chances, although further advancement is probably necessary to get him among the medallists.

The exceptonal endurance of Mrs V. I. Young has kept her well up in Commonwealth field events rankings, her shot put of 15.05 m earlier this month indicating that her already wellstocked trophy cabinet has not yet reached full capacity. Although overshadowed to some extent by the brilliant results achieved by their male counter-parts, the women’s middle distance contingent—and particularly. Miss S. Haden—has some cause for confidence.

Miss Haden overcame fields of quality to complete an 800-1500 metres double at national championship level and has an advantage in that most of her Commonwealth rivals have had to prepare in wintry conditions.

These are only some of the New Zealand athletes

who have responded willingly and successfully to the lure of the Commonwealth Games. They, and the marathon runners, J. Robinson, .1. Foster and T. Manners, probably carry most of New Zealand’s hopes of extending the list of medal winners in international competition. But there are other examples: the surprise victory of the 16-year-old school-

girl, Miss S. Burnside, in upsetting the record-holder, Miss B. Poulsen, in the New Zealand pentathlon contest; the equally unexpected win of S. Melville in the men’s 800 metres (Walker was not entered, preferring to clash with Dixon over 1500 metres); the dominance of the Healey twins, Howard and Nathan, in the 3000 metres steeplechase trial; the reclaiming of the triple

jump championship by the veteran D. Norris. Most of these competitors will be regarding the Bank of New Zealand meeting as a vital milestone along the path to Commonwealth Games glory. Probably only a few will achieve their ultimate targets, but all will certainly consider the next few weeks to be among the most important in their lives.