AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22400, 22 April 1936, Page 22

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

THREE LADY CHAMPIONS DOMINION RECORDS LOWERED MISS MUNRO'S PERFORMANCES Auckland has never possessed so many outstanding lady athletes as at the present time, and. brilliant performances by three of them, which have resulted in the lowering of three New Zealand records and tho equalling of another, have been the features of carnivals held during the latter part of the season. That these most creditable feats approach world class may be seen in tho following comparison with the best American and world's figures. Deserving of first mention on account of her two national records, Miss Edna Munro, of Auckland, tho most versatile lady athlete in New Zealand, established new figures for the long jump and discus throw of 17ft 2;[in and 91ft 7J in respectively. The first effort is somewhat short of the world's record of 19ft 7£in, recorded by Miss Hitomi. of Japan, in 1028, but it approaches the American record of 18ft Ojiin, established by Stan. Walasiewicz, of Poland, better known as Stella Walsh, in 1930. As discus throwing has not long been included in ladies' programmes, this record is naturally not quito up to the standard of the other events, but nevertheless Miss Munro's effort, attained in her first year's experience with the implement, is a brilliant one. The best figures for a standard ladies' discus are 153 ft 4Jin, this remarkable feat being achieved by Miss Nan Gidele. America, in 1932.

There is no world's record for the 100 yards ladies' sprint accepted by the Congress of Federation Sportive Feminine Internationale, London, the body controlling women's athletics throughout tho world, but the time of 11 1 -os which was recorded by Miss Ida Campbell, of Morrinsville, compares favourably with times returned by the fastest overseas lady sprinters. Miss Campbell now becomes joint holder with Miss Norma Wilson, of Wellington, of the national record. The world's 100 metres record stands at 11 4-ss, which works out at 10 4-5s for the 100 yards. Just recently, however, Miss Helen Stephens, America, has twice clocked 11 3-ss, which time is at present before the congress for acceptance as a world's record. The best American time for 100 yards is 10 4-os, also held by Miss Stella "Walsh, while the fastest time recorded for the distance by an American citizen is 11 l-ss, by Miss E. Robinson in 1929. As all these times have been registered on fast cinder tracks, which make from one to two-fifths of a second difference over this distance, Miss Campbell s performance, put up on grass, is really outstanding. FINE JAVELIN THROW EFFORT BY MISS MITCHELL The third record-breaker, Miss Mary Mitchell, of Dargaville, by throwing the javelin 107 ft. 32in., registered a distance which compares well with the best world's figures of 143 ft. 4in., established by Miss Mildred "Babe" Didrikson in winning the Olympic title in 1932. The javelin throwing event, also, has been included on tho ladies' programme but a few months, and, in view of this and the unfavourable wind and weather conditions under which the throw was made, Miss Mitchell's feat is the more meritorious. It is not generally recognised that in these three athletes Auckland has a trio who approach world's class. A noticeable fault of all three girls, however, has been the manner in which they allow their keenness to induce them to compete in several contests on the one afternoon. It is a well-estab-lished fact that even for men participation in too many strenuous events on the one day is too exact'ing. In view of this all three champions should adopt the method of concentration of American record-breakers, and by so doing their performances should vastly improve. CONSISTENT HURDLER NATIONAL RECORD EQUALLED One*of the best achievements at the University athletio tournament was that of A. T. Anderson, of Canterbury, in winning the 440 yards hurdles in 55 3-ss, equal to tho New Zealand record. Anderson, who drew tho outside, would undoubtedly have made new national figures had the conditions been more favourable. The Canterbury athlete, who is a former New Zealand champion and record-holder, is a splendid type of hurdler and has without question been the most consistent high-class performer over the quarter-mile hurdles that the Dominion has had.