AMATEUR ATHLETICS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11409, 4 January 1923, Page 8

AMATEUR ATHLETICS

■NEXT SATURDAY’S PROGRAMME AMERICANS AT ATHLETIC PARK. After a spell following their' appearance at Paraparaumu bn'' New Year’s Day, the, three American athletes, who will appear at Athletic Park on Satur'day afternoon, commenced their training yesterday. They will train at the Park every afternoon at 3' o'clock, and, in addition to training, are prepared to meet any local' athleltes while inhere . and disouto and demonstrate various styles. This willingness to assist local men was evidenced fat Paraparaumu, and by this means New ZealandeTs will gain, great benefit from the visit of tbe overseas champions. By the time Saturdav arrives they expect to be in good condition. They lave not actually been out of training, as their performances in demonstrations show, and on Saturday it can be expected .that they will, be good enough for local champions, and will probably prove too good in many of the events. Merchant and Krogness had their first try-out :n the long jump yesterday afternoon, and reached the vicinity of 22ft. Thee© figures should pTOve hard for our local men to enlarge upon. Oh Saturday the team will compete in, all distances, Also in jumping and field events. The most attractive will bo the sprint events, the star performance of the day being th© match between Kirksey and Wilson over 120yds hurdles. Both ■ men will be on scratch, -and Kirksey will find Wilson "all out" to beat him, which indeed may be the case. Kirksey is also a starter in the lOttyds invitation race and tho 220yds, which includes all our best local sprinters. Merchant, it is said, should have no difficulty in establishing a new Australasian record for the hammer throwing. Another feature of the day ,will be the meeting of R. Rose, of Wairarapa, and J. H. Nalder, of Christchurch, in the 3-mile handicap, these two being off the scratch mark. The; lady athletes will be seen m the 75vds handicap, and a relay race. The first race will be ran at 2.15.