Paul eyes double

Press, 24 December 1986, Page 20

Paul eyes double

The Commonwealth Games representative, Wayne Paul, has set himself a tough assignment in the New Zealand centennial track and field championships in Wellington in March. He plans to defend his 400 m championship and also take a determined tilt at the 800 m championship. Unfortunately, the heats of both events are on the same day. Paul, however, feels that this will not rule out his chances of contesting the two events. He is hopeful that he will be able to dawdle around in the 400 m hurdles heat

and still be fresh enough for a qualifying run in the 800 m heat. “I would like to have a go at both,” he said after a fine run of 52.80 s in finishing second to the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, John Graham, of Canada, at Queen Elizabeth II Park last Saturday. “I am a lot fitter than I thought.” Paul represented New Zealand in the 400 m hurdles at the Edinburgh Games. He holds the New Zealand resident record at 51.295. But he has always shown a lot of poten-

tial for the 800 m, and a win over the Canterbury champion, Philip Clode (University), earlier this season helped confirm this. Previously, Paul has been fully occupied with the 400 m hurdles. The lack of competition he has in the hurdles has, as much as anything else, prompted him to double up. In the next few weeks, Paul intends to concentrate his efforts on the 800 m. Then he will “get back into the hurdles” so he is ready for the national championship.