Overdue revenge for Arthur Grayburn

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 15

Overdue revenge for Arthur Grayburn

By

ROD DEW

Revenge is sweet, even after 32 years. Arthur Grayburn, one of Canterbury’s most prominent veteran athletes, had to wait that long before a return “match” with the thrower who beat him in the 1950 Canterbury Centennial Games javelin contest, L. Tunabuna, of Fiji. They met, recently, in the inaugural Oceania Veteran Games in Suva and this time, competing in the M5O grade, Grayburn emerged the victor. His best distance of 47.66 in proved beyond the reach of Tunabuna, who had to settle for 42.63 m and the silver medal.

"This was quite an occasion,” said Gfayburn, now president of the Canterbury Veteran Athletes’ Association.

Grayburn is the headmaster of the Marshland School. By coincidence, Tunabuna has followed the same profession. He is a teacher in a remote part of Fiji. In the Centennial Games, Tunabuna won the javelin for

Fiji with a splendid throw of 56.32 m. Grayburn, a former New Zealand champion, took the silver medal with his best distance 0f.52.81m. Now, more than 30 years later. Grayburn is*' still throwing distances not far short of this mark.

More than 300 competitors took part in the Oceania Games, and New' Zealand athletes were very prominent. Roger Robinson (Wellington). winner- of the world veteran M4O cross-country title in Christchurch last -• year, won the M4O 10,000 m in 31min 34.25, a time which will stand as a new Fijian all-comers record.

Derek Turnbull (Southland), who was an outstariding figure at the recent New Zealand veteran championships, set a world'record of 2min 6.6 s for the M 55 800 m.

Canterbury sprinters fared particularly well. Robert Auinatagi won the M4O 100 and 200 m sprints. His time of 22.8 s for the 200 m was most impressive- ... ■

The ■ former All Black, Bruce McPhail, of Ashburton, had to be content with two second places in the M 45 100 and 200 m sprints behind the brilliant Australian, Reg Austin, holder of the world sprint title for his age group. However, McPhail had good cause to be pleased with his run of 22.8 s in the 200 m final, and he gained his share of the gold in other events. He won the M 45 400 m, high jump, and long . jump. - ‘ \

Annette Horsnell and Shirley Peterson werC'other Canterbury sprinters who fared well. Mrs Peterson won the W5O long jump with 4.69 m as well and both women climaxed the Games by playing- roles in New Zealand’s Win in the women's 4 x 100 m relay. \ ?