Tayler magnificent in snatching gold from favourites

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33443, 26 January 1974, Page 48

Tayler magnificent in snatching gold from favourites

Richard Tayler, of New Zealand, yesterday joined the athletic greats of his country with a magnificent victory in the 10,000 m. Originally expected to be fighting for a minor place, because his previous best time for the distance was about a minute behind the world record by David Bedford, he came into his own to show us once again that if you do not let reputations and times worry you unduly, the gold medal is within reach.

My only disappointment was that there were not more spectators to see this great opening performance, which will surely inspire the New Zealand team to further great deeds.

The stadium was little more than half-full. But perhaps, like the 1970 Games in Edinburgh, when Lachie Stewart won the 10,000 m on the opening day, the crowds will roll in for the rest of the Games to cheer on the home runners.

The race began as expected, but with Tony Simmons of England, a training partner, of Bedford, setting a very fast pace—inside world record pace for the first few laps—and the three Kenyan athletes, Richard Juma, Paul Mose, and Patrick Kiingi using team tactics of going in front of Bedford then slowing him down, hoping to break his rhythm. Black handy Dave Black was handy most of the way, but was not keen to join in the battle. They reached the 5000 m in a fast 13:47, but Bedford would have preferred to have been there in about 13:40. The field had then broken down to Bedford, Mose, Juma, Black and Kiingi, with a gap to lan Stewart of Scotland, Richard Tayler of New Zealand, and Daniel i Shaughnessy of Canada, who i were isolated about 40 ; metres from the main bunch and looking to be out of contention. The slowing-down of the! Kenyan runners had kept! them in with a chance, but! over the last 5000 m it was! I a different, story. Tayler in front Tayler was working hard to get back in contention, dogged by the gritty Shaughnessy. By the threequarter stage they were at last back with the leaders—still led by Bedford from Black, Juma, and Mose. A lap later Black went into the lead for the first time from Juma and Tayler, with Bedford—so we thought—taking a well-earned rest in fourth place. Mose, Shaughnessy, and Stewart had been forced to give way, and the gap was opening again. At last Black managed to break up the leading group but he was not successful in all his attempts to shake off

the new strong-looking New Zealand runner. So it was that with just over two laps to go, the stocky New Zealander struck the front for the first time, and began really piling on the pace.

At last, Black looked to be stretched. They fought it out for another lap before! Tayler burst away to win a fantastically well - timed race—a victory for his cool tactics. This victory more than makes up for the sad loss of Dick Quax from the 5000 metres.

Hammer throw In the hammer throw, which was also decided, we again saw how someone can be the favourite for almost two seasons and yet lose out at the last minute. Some good technique throwing by lan Chipchase in the first three rounds was good enough to give him the gold medal with a new Games record of 69.5 Gm. The veteran, Howard Payne, threw consistently, taking the silver medal, and ending his career with three golds and a silver in this event in the last four Commonwealth Games. Peter Farmer, of Australia, as I said yesterday, came in for the bronze medal when the favourite, Barry Williams, of England, had ah off-day. Williams unfortunately injured his left knee

10 days ago, but, with painkillings injections, he hoped it would hold out for one or two good throws. He managed this in the third round, only to see the hammer go just outside the sector with a throw which would have given him the silver medal.

Touching moment It was fitting that MaryPeters should win the pentathlon gold medal in Christchurch in her final competition, She was watched by her father, who lives in Australia, but who had come to take his place in the stand to watch her.

It was a touching moment as we listened to "Danny Boy” at the victory ceremony, to think that this great athlete will not grace the tracks of the world again. She won wih 4455 points,, her best score .since Munich,’ but still just behind her world record.

The girl who impressed me most in this competition was Modupe Oshikoya, of Nigeria, who performed tremendously, and made a vast improvement on her previous best. She looks a great prospect for the Olympic Games at Montreal in 1976. Ann Wilson of England, after a very poor injuryridden season, come through brilliantly to take third place.