Throwers will threaten records

Press, 19 February 1988, Page 20

Throwers will threaten records

By

ROD DEW

Some of the world’s finest throwers will demonstrate their talents in the Mita Copiers international track and field meeting at Queen Elizabeth II Park tomorrow. And if conditions are good, it will be surprising if there are not changes to New Zealand’s allcomers’ record list before the evening is over.

High on the list of threatened records must be the javelin mark of 82.26 m, set by the powerful former world recordholder, Tom Petranoff, of the United States. He returns to New Zealand with a recent best of 83.24 m, and a determination to protect his place in the New Zealand record book.

The competition he will face is certainly good enough to bring out his celebrated fighting spirit. Top-ranked in the field is the silver medallist at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, Mike Hill, of England, who last northern season sent the "new” javelin flying out to 85.24 m.

Hill was ranked fourth in the world last year. He will renew an old rivalry with another Englishman, Daryl Brand, now living in New Zealand. Brand was fourth in the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. There is one other 80mplus thrower in the field, Nicu Roata, of Rumania, whose 81.16 m throw last year put him high on the world ranking list. These international stars might steal the

limelight, but they could also provide a useful service for the New Zealand throwers in desperate need of strong competition to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the Seoul Olympics. Mike O’Rourke, of Auckland, a world-class thrower with the old javelin, has adapted well to the new implement after a period in retirement, and already has a 77.60 m throw to his credit. The 80.80 m throw needed to qualify for the Games is obviously not beyond him. It is a pity that two other leading New Zealand javelin specialists, Gavin Lovegrove, of Waikato, and Cameron Greening, of Wellington, have chosen to stay away. John Stapylton-Smith, of Canterbury, will be in the field, however, and endeavouring to bfiild on the 70.16 m throw he recorded earlier this summer. Darren Marx, of Australia, is another overseas entrant capable of making his presence felt.

Another record which appears to have an insecure future is in the men’s discus. This was set by a former world recordholder, Mac Wilkins, of the United States, 11 years ago at 64.84 m. In the field tomorrow will be the leading discus thrower in the world last year, John Powell, of the United States. Powell has a recent best of 72.08 m, and will not need anything like full power to better the New Zealand mark. Another thrower capable of threatening Wilkins’s record is Paul Nandapi, of Australia. He has a personal best of 63m, and feels he can do better.

Gordon Barff, of Tahiti, has a recent best of 51.30 m, which makes him a target for the man who will carry New Zealand’s hopes, Chris Barrett, of Canterbury. Barrett has recorded 50.14 m this summer and in this sort of company should lift his performance even further.

Jud Logan, of the United States, undoubtedly has his eye on the New Zealand allcomers’ hammer record of 77.72 m he set at Hamilton last year. A' best of 79.36 m in

the last northern season suggests that he can improve on the New Zealand mark.

His chief rival will be the leading New Zealander, Angus Cooper, of Auckland, who has exceeded 70m this season and is aiming for the 78m Olympic qualifying distance.

The shot record will also be under threat. John Bremner, of the United States, is one of the finest shot putters to set foot in New Zealand and will be looking for something close to his recent best of 22.52 m. This is far in advance of the New Zealand record, of 20.76 m set by the likeable Englishman, Geoff Capes, eight years ago.

Other field events also promise much. The best high jumping seen in New Zealand is likely in the men’s event. Lee Balkin, of the United States, and Surin Matei, of Rumania, have both risen higher than 2.30 m. The best ever achieved in New Zealand is 2.23 m. Andreas Klodt, of West Germany, is not now coming, but interest must remain high in this event.

There should also be some world-class jumping in the women’s high jump. Gudrein Sauerwein, of West Germany, is a welcome late addition to a field which already included the two French jumpers, Nadine Debois and Chantal Beaugeant. Sauerwein has a 1.90 m leap to her credit, and Debois is not far below with 1.86 m.

Tom Bright, of the United States, could rise higher than anyone before him in New Zealand in the pole vault. He cleared 5.75 m last year — 25cm higher than the New Zealand allcomers’ record. Neil Honey, of Australia, a 5.35 m vaulter, will also be worth watching as he builds up for his Olympic effort.

This event will include the new holder of the national resident record of 5.10 m, Simon Poelman, of Auckland. The top four pole vaulters in New Zealand will be in the field so it should provide a very sound pointer to the forthcoming New Zealand championship in Hamilton. Derek McKee and Keiran McKee, both of Canterbury, and Richard Willets, of South Canterbury, are all certain to be seeking big vaults.