Javelin record-holder to compete in N.Z.

Press, 29 November 1978, Page 36

Javelin record-holder to compete in N.Z.

By ROD DEW One of the great figures of international field events, Miklos Nemeth (Hungary), is likely to compete in the international Pan Am-South Pacific Television track and field meeting at Queen ‘Elizabeth 11 Park on January 20. i Nemeth won the Olympic I javelin title at the Montreal Games in 1976 with a mighty throw of 94.58 m (310 ft 4in) — a distance which still stands as the world record. He has’ not competed seriously this year and does not appear on the world ranking list. However, he should be fit enough to give the New Zealand open record of 84.92 m a solid nudge. This was set by the slim Englishman, Charles Clover, in the Commonwealth Games at Queen Elizabeth II Park four years ago. There are still a few loose ends for the organisers to tie up before Nemeth’s entry can be confirmed. One problem is to find some strong competition for him. The New Zealand champion, Mike O’Rourke (Waikato), who claimed the silver medal in this event at the Edmonton Commonwealth'

Games this year, has been suffering from the javelin thrower’s version of tennis elbow. Whether Nemeth comes to New Zealand will depend largely on O’Rourke’s state of fitness. However, even if O’Rourke cannot compete there is still a good chance of some exciting javelin competition if Michael Wessing (West Germany) accepts his invitation. Wessing holds top ranking in the world this year at 94.22 m (309 ft lin), which is also the second best of all time. On current form, he would be favoured to beat Nemeth.

The possibility of a worldclass field for the 1500 m events in the four-meeting New Zealand track series has increased with the acceptance of the talented Scottish middle-distance star, John Robson. He finished third in the Commonwealth Games 1500 m final at Edmonton, beaten for the silver medal by just half a stride by the defending champion, Filbert Bayi (Tanzania). Robson shares second place on the world ranking list for 1978 with his best time of 3min 35.65. Only

Dave Moorcroft (England), who is also a confirmed starter for the New Zealand series, has a faster time. He ran 3min 35.5 s in winning the Commonwealth title. Invitations have also been extended to the long-striding, American, Steve Scott, who is ranked sixth in the world over 1500 m with a time of 3min 36 s, and Wilson Waigwa (Kenya), who held second ranking in the Commonwealth before the Edmonton Games. He failed, to run up to his best, finishing fifth in the final at Edmonton. However, his best time of 3min 36.5 s gives him eighth ranking in the world. Add New Zealand’s Olympic champion, John Walker, to this list and the prospects are there for an outstanding series of races. Walker, although still not recovered from his leg problems, believes he will be fitter than he was when he came through to beat the likeable Irish runner, Eamonn Coghland, in their final meeting in Auckland earlier this year.

There will be plenty of competition for Rod Dixon, the only New Zealander listed among the worlds top 10 in any event. He holds fourth ranking over 5000m*

Among his rivals in New Zealand will be the European 10,000 m champion, Martti Vainio (Finland), who has a world ranking of third in this event. Vainio is one of two Finns who have accepted invitations. The other is the steeplechaser, Ismo Toukornen, whose best time of Bmin 13.3 s gives him a ranking of fourth.

Invitations have also gone! to the world record-holder and Commonwealth champion, Henry Rono (Kenya), and the world’s secondranked steeplechaser, Bronislaw Maiinowsli (Poland). Malinowsli toured New Zealand last season and was unbeaten in his specialist event. This year his performances have been betered only by Rono. Rono, who holds the world records for the steeplechase, 3000 m, 5000 m, and 10,000 m, is studying at Washington State University in the United States. The New Zealand series clashes with I his university work but efforts are being made to try land obtain leave for him so that he can compete in at least one of the New Zealand meetings. If -Rono does come, it is likely that he will race only

at Auckland, where the final I meeting will be held on I January 27. Several other highly-) ranked Kenyans have also: been invited. These include I Michael Musyoki, who was) second in both the 5000 m andi 10,000 m at Edmonton, and the) first and third place-getters j in the Commonwealth Games, 1800 m final, Mike Boit and‘ [Peter Lemashon. Gerard Tebroke (the Netherlands), ranked seventh over 10,000 m with a time of 27min 36.65, has accepted his invitation and Markus Ryffel (Switzerland), ranked eighth in the world over 5000 m, is another confirmed starter.

The sprint contest between the Commonwealth champions, Allan Wells (Scotland) and Don Quarrie (Jamaica), has been strengthened by the acceptance of the young Australian, Paul Narracott. The Olympic 100 m champion, Hasley Crawford (Trinidad), who was beaten narrowly by both Wells and Quarrie at Edmonton over 100 m, is also now a likely starter.

Well’s wife, Margot, who also represented Scotland at the recent Commonwealth Games as a sprinter, will compete in the women’s

sprints. The outstanding American woman sprinter, Evelyn Ashford, is another sprint possibility. She is ranked fourth in the world over 100 m with a time of 11.165.

Two American pole vaulters, Jeff Taylor and Bob Pullard,' have accepted invitations and it is possible that the Australian, Don Baird, will also make an appearance. All three men are capable of clearing 5.5 m (18ft). Taylor and Pullard are ranked among the world’s top 10.

Mary Decker (United States), the holder of the world 800 m indoor record, is returning for the second time and will race over both 800 m and 1500 m.

The world’s top-ranked woman over 3000 m, Grete Waitz (Norway), will give the New Zealand representative, Heather Thompson (Auckland) somebody to chase. Waitz has a best time of Bmin 32.15. Members of New Zeland’s women’s cross-country team are expected to take advantage of her visit to gain the qualifying times they need over 3000 m before leaving for the world championship.