Young sprinter ready for rise to senior ranks

Press, 3 October 1979, Page 16

Young sprinter ready for rise to senior ranks

B'

ROD DEW

Established senior sprinters in New Zealand are certain to be casting a wary eye in the direction of the powerfully-built young Canterbury sprinter, Joe Leota, as the countdown begins for the 1979-80 track and field season. Leota, who earned considerable recognition' for his superb victories in the ■New Zealand junior 100 and 200 m championships on his home track at Queen Elizabeth II Park earlier this year, represented Western Samoa in the South Pacific Games which ended in Fiji earlier this month. And in spite of a lack of suitable preparation, he claimed a bronze medal in the 100 m final in 11.02 s and repeated this placing in the 200 m, recording a smart 22.565. In addition, he was a member of the team which took third place in the sprint relay. It was a fine performance by a young athlete who was in the middle of a heavy winter build-up when he was notified of his selection a month before the Games were scheduled to open. His coach, Paul Davies, of Christchurch, feels that it

might be the pointer to an outstanding season for Leota. “I was very impressed with Joe's performances, particularly in the 100 m. He was not properly prepared, and yet he ran extremely well,” Mr Davies said. “He had to run eight races in 10 days in the Games, a tough assignment by any standards.” Leota, aged 20, has best times of 10.95 s and 22.01 s for the two short sprints, and Mr Davies is confident that he will lower both of these in the coming months. In the season which will open in Canterbury on Saturdav. Leota's chief aim will be to establish himself in senior ranks. He will again run in High School Old Boys colours, and he will quite obviously be a leading contender for the Canterbury senior 100 and 200 m championships in February. He will also continue throwing the javelin. He has natural strength above the average. Combined with his fast reflexes, this makes him ideally suited to this event. But it will remain a fun event, very secondary to his sprinting.

“He has got natural talent for this, but it will only be a relaxation fo) him.” Mr Davies said. Leota holds no hopes of a place in the team for the Moscow Olympics next year. The New Zea land standards of 10.34 s and 20.84 s are too fast for him at this stage. However, he should be approaching his best in time for the Brisbane Commonwealth Gaines in 1982.