Happy Birthday from this Thursday 24 June to Maria Eduarda Araujo, Orlando Edwards, Poppy Fenwick-Moore, Amelia Haffner, Marli Jessop, Chay Jiboye, Gavin Marcus, Joanne Miranda, Ella Nash, Emma Rae, Evion Richardson, Annina Rive, Seb Rodger, Nadeem Shaikh and Bradley Ukpetenan
RECENT NEW MEMBERS – We wish you a very warm welcome, and a happy, healthy and successful time with Shaftesbury to HENRY DOVER, ELLA GREEN, KATIE HARRIES, ASHANI PERERA and NIKITA PETROV
22 ATHLETES SELECTED IN FIRST WAVE FOR THE EUROPEAN ATHLETICS U20 CHAMPIONSHIPS – A group of 22 athletes have been selected in the first of two waves of selections for next month’s European Athletics U20 Championships in Tallinn, Estonia (15-18 July). The rest of the team will be announced in the second wave selections on Tuesday 6 July.
Congratulations to the following 3 Shaftesbury athletes – LILY PARRIS 100m Hurdles (Coach JULIE BENTERMAN), KRISTIAN IMROTH 3000m Steeplechase (Coach STEPHEN MURPHY) and BRAD DAVIES-PUGHE Long Jump (Coach JAKE AWE).
BRITISH ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Manchester. You can see the action by using this link to the British Athletics website, and is broadcast via YouTube – https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/british-athletics-tv/
There will be many Shaftesbury vests to view, and we wish each and everyone a successful time.
LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE – The second of four fixtures takes place on Saturday 10 July at StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Link to online entries https://entry4sports.co.uk/#/ This is the timetable – LICC Timetable 10-07-21docx
NEW CLUB RECORD – Congratulations to EMILY NEWNHAM who ran an outstanding 400m Hurdles time of (60.18) when winning the England U20 title in Bedford on 20 June, taking 1.44 seconds off her 22 May time. The previous record was by ANNA ROSE (62.9) which she ran in Enfield on 22 May 1993.
UPCOMING FIXTURES – Shows all fixture information for the period Thursday 24 June until Wednesday 21 July, and follows after this week’s results.
SBH ALL-TIME TOP 10 – Congratulations to the 2 athletes who produced all-time top 10 performances over the past week.
Senior Men – OLIVER GRAHAM U23 improved his Hammer personal best by 23cm to (62.93) at the England U20/23 Championships in Bedford on 20 June. He stays at No.7 on the all-time list.
Senior Women – EMILY NEWNHAM U20 set a personal best 400m Hurdles (60.18) at the England U20/23 Championships in Bedford on 20 June. EMILY enters the all-time list at No.9.
THIS WEEK’S RESULTS – Last weekend the England Under 20/23 Championships took place in Bedford, with 26 Shaftesbury athletes competing. Congratulations to the 4 England Champions – LILY PARRIS U20 (100m Hurdles), EMILY NEWNHAM U20 (400m Hurdles), BRAD DAVIES-PUGHE U20 (Long Jump) and DANIEL BAINBRIDGE U23 (Javelin). There were Silver Medals from JASON NICHOLSON U23 (400m Hurdles), JOSH WOODS U20 (Triple Jump) and OLIVER GRAHAM U23 (Hammer), also Bronze Medals from DOMINIC ASHWELL U23 (100m) and KIMANI JACK U20 (High Jump).
This week we had 2 season bests, 11 personal bests, and 5 UK top 10 performances.
ENGLAND U20 AND U23 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Took place at Bedford on 19-20 June
100m – U20M H3 EMMANUEL DURUIHEOMA U20 4th (10.97 w-2.4)
100m – U20W H2 EVE WRIGHT U20 1st (11.93 w-1.1), H3 ALANNA FASHANU U20 3rd (12.02 w-0.7), in the Final EVE finished 4th (11.95 w-2.0), ALANNA finished 5th (12.02 w-2.0)
100m – U23M H3 DOMINIC ASHWELL U23 2nd (10.62 w-1.3), in the Final DOMINIC won the Bronze Medal (10.63 w-1.7)
100m – U23W H2 REBECCA JEGGO U23 (HCA) 3rd (12.07 w-1.1), in the Final REBECCA finished 5th (12.09 w-2.4)
200m – U20M H3 CALVIN SMITH U17 6th (22.38 w0.1)
200m – U20W H2 HANNAH FOSTER U20 2nd (24.38 w-1.1), in the Final HANNAH finished 4th (24.15 w0.1)
200m – U23W Straight Final REBECCA JEGGO U23 (HCA) 5th (24.17 w-0.2)
400m – U23M H1 MORGAN WEBSTER U23 4th (PB 48.14) taking .51 of a second off his 18 May time, in the Final MORGAN finished 4th (PB 48.13) taking .01 of a second off his H1 time
1500m – U23M H1 JEREMY DEMPSEY U23 9th (4:10.07), H2 MITCHEL COX U23 7th (3:55.87), in the Final MITCHEL finished 10th (3:50.42)
3000m – U20W Straight Final FREYA STAPLETON U20 4th (PB 9:52.79) taking 6.64 seconds off her 2019 time, INDIRA PATEL U20 9th (SB 10:22.40)
100m Hurdles – U20W H1 LILY PARRIS U20 (2nd Claim) 1st (13.84 w-0.1), MARLI JESSOP U20 3rd (14.24 w-0.1), in the Final LILY won the Gold Medal (13.68 w-0.3), MARLI finished 5th (14.11 w-0.3)
110m Hurdles – U20M H1 RUBEN HEDMAN U20 4th (14.61 w0.4), in the Final RUBEN finished 7th (14.71 w0.3)
400m Hurdles – U20W H2 EMILY NEWNHAM U20 1st (65.03), in the Final EMILY won the Gold Medal (PB 60.18) taking 1.44 seconds off her 22 May time, and is ranked UK No.1 U20 in 2021
400m Hurdles – U23M H1 JASON NICHOLSON U23 (HCA) 1st (53.70), in the Final JASON won the Silver Medal (PB 52.01) taking .01 of a second off his 9 May time, and is ranked UK No.5 U23 in 2021
High Jump – U20M Straight Final KIMANI JACK U20 won the Bronze Medal (1.99m)
High Jump – U20W Straight Final KACEY WALTERS U17 6th (1.68m), EVELYNE FONTEYNE U20 7th (1.58m)
Long Jump – U20M Straight Final BRAD DAVIES-PUGHE U20 won the Gold Medal (PB 7.56m w1.4) adding 7cm to his 31 May jump, and is ranked UK No.1 U20 in 2021
Triple Jump – U20M Straight Final JOSH WOODS U20 won the Silver Medal (14.39m w-1.5), ARUN YAVUZ U20 10th (13.03m w0.0)
Triple Jump – U20W Straight Final RUTH-ANN OTARUOH U20 (2nd Claim) 5th (11.80m w1.9)
Hammer 7.26kg – U23M Straight Final OLIVER GRAHAM U23 won the Silver Medal (PB 62.93m) adding 23cm to his 6 June throw, and is ranked UK No.5 U23 in 2021
Javelin 800g – U23M Straight Final DANIEL BAINBRIDGE U23 won the Gold Medal (70.58m)
KARLSTAD GRAND PRIX – Took place at Karlstad, Sweden on 22 June
Hammer 7.26kg – SM 2 CHRIS BENNETT 1st (72.19m)
TRAFFORD SPRINTS GRAND PRIX – Took place at Stretford on 22 June
400m – SX 1 JOSH FAULDS U23 1st (PB 48.15) taking .06 of a second off his 2019 time
SOUTHERN ATHLETICS LEAGUE, MID WEST – Took place at Aldershot on 19 June
Discus 1kg – SW A AMY HOLDER (2nd Claim) 1st (53.63m)
SOUTHERN ATHLETICS LEAGUE, NORTH WEST LONDON – Took place at Harrow on 19 June
Long Jump – SW A KERSTIN POHLMANN (2nd Claim) 1st (PB 5.24m nwr) adding 23cm to her 2018 jump
Triple Jump – SW A ANGELA BARRETT V35 (2nd Claim) 1st (SB 12.52m nwr) adding 8cm to her 6 June jump, and is ranked UK No.10 and UK No.1 V35 in 2021, B KERSTIN POHLMANN (2nd Claim) 1st (PB 11.06m nwr) adding 26cm to her 2019 jump
SOUTHERN ATHLETICS LEAGUE, SOUTH LONDON – Took place at Battersea Park on 19 June
Long Jump – SM A PAUL OGUN (2nd Claim) 1st (SB 7.29m nwr) adding 48cm to his 6 June jump
4J STUDIOS SCOTTISH ATHLETICS SUPER LEAGUE FINAL – Took place at Aberdeen on 19 June
Hammer 7.26kg – SM CHRIS BENNETT 1st (73.57m), DEMPSEY MCGUIGAN 2nd (PB 72.32m) adding 1.77m to his 2017 throw, and is ranked UK No.5 in 2021
CAMPEONATO AUTONOMICO ABSOLUTO MEETING – Took place at La Nucia, Spain on 19 June
1500m – SM 1 ISAAC HIRSCHMAN CHANDLER U20 1st (PB 3:54.20) taking 14.75 seconds off his 2020 time
PARKRUN 5K – Took place in Jersey on 19 June.
CLIFF GOLDING V65 78th (24.46) this was his 88th Parkrun
PARKRUN 5K – Took place in Wanneroo, Perth, Australia on 19 June.
STUART MOORE V60 20th (26.27) this was his 166th Parkrun
BEDFORDSHIRE OPEN MEETING – Took place at Sandy on 16 June
100m – SX 2 TOSIN JOKOSENUMI U17 4th (12.7 w0.5), 3 LYDIA BALL U17 6th (14.1 w1.0)
200m – SX 3 TOSIN JOKOSENUMI U17 3rd (26.2 w1.2), 4 LYDIA BALL U17 3rd (PB 29.3 w1.5) taking .59 of a second off her 13 June time
300m – U17X 1 SOPHIE FORBES-LAIRD U17 1st (SB 42.0), 2 AIDAN GAFFEY U15 1st (PB 42.5) taking .18 of a second off his 13 June time
UPCOMING FIXTURES FOR THE NEXT 4 WEEKS, FOR THE PERIOD THURSDAY 24 JUNE UNTIL WEDNESDAY 21 JULY – The current 2021 Summer Fixture Card can be found on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/fixture-cards/ – also the contact details for all Team Managers can be found on the SBH website – http://sbharriers.co.uk/athletics/track-field/team-managers/
There are certain fixtures, that you will have to enter yourselves and pay the appropriate fee
MIDDLESEX YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE ROUND 3 – The third fixture of four takes place on Saturday 26 June at Parliament Hill Fields (Satnav NW5 1QR).
Age-Groups Under 13, 15 & 17 Men/Women. The events are as follows – 75m, 100m, 300m/400m, 800, Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot, Hammer, Javelin. This is the link to the timetable –
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager.
To Be Confirmed: Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 24 June as the declarations have to be in on Friday 25 June.
UK CHAMPIONSHIPS INCLUDING THE TRIAL FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES – Takes place from Friday 25 June to Sunday 27 June at the Manchester Regional Arena, Rowsley Street, Manchester (Satnav M11 3FF).
UK YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE LONDON WEST ROUND 2 – The second fixture of four takes place on Sunday 27 June at Perivale Park Athletic Track, Stockdove Way, Perivale, Greenford (Satnav UB6 8JT).
Age-Groups Under 17 & U20 Men/Women. This is the link to the timetable –
Note: You will have to be selected by your respective Team Manager
SOUTHERN COMBINED EVENTS U15, U17, U20 AND SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 3 July and Sunday 4 July at the Horspath Athletics Track, Horspath Road, Oxford (Satnav OX4 2RR).
Events: U15 Girls Pentathlon (Saturday), U15 Boys Pentathlon (Sunday), U17, U20 & Senior Women Heptathlon, U17 Men Octathlon, U20 & Senior Men Decathlon. Guests are welcome.
Please Note: For all information including entering yourself online please use this link – http://seaa.org.uk/index.php/onlinereg
Entries Closed
NATIONAL ATHLETIC LEAGUE ROUND 2 – The second of four fixtures takes place on Sunday 4 July at StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Age-Groups Under U20 & Senior Men/Women. This is the link to the timetable – NAL Timetable 4 July 2021
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager
EASTERN YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE ROUND 1 – The first fixture of three takes place on Sunday 4 July at Dacorum Athletics Track, Jarman Park, Hemel Hempstead (Satnav HP2 4JS).
Age-Groups Under U13, U15 & U17 Men/Women. This is the link to the timetable – EYAL-Timetable-2021-6-club-v1 (1)
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager, Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 1 July as the declarations have to be in on Friday 2 July.
LEE VALLEY DOUBLE 100m/200m SPRINTS OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Wednesday 7 July at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, 61 Meridian Way, Edmonton, London (Satnav N9 0AR).
Age-groups Under 17 and above. Cost is £9 per event, £12 for 2 events.
Timetable for track events –
Please Note: For all information including entering yourself online please use this link – https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/athletics-events
Entries Close Sunday 4 July, Although An Event Could Be Full Maybe 1-2 Weeks Before The Meeting Date, So Enter Early
EUROPEAN UNDER 23 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place from Thursday 8 July to Sunday 11 July in Tampere, Finland.
Please Note: You will be selected for these Championships
ENGLISH SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Friday 9 July and Saturday 10 July at Manchester Regional Arena, Rowsley Street, Manchester (Satnav M11 3FF).
Please Note: You will be selected for these Championships
LONDON INTER CLUB CHALLENGE ROUND 2 – The second of four fixtures takes place on Saturday 10 July at StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL).
Age-Groups U11, U13, U15, U17, U20, Seniors and Masters – Men/Women. Entry is £8 per event but £4 to members of SBH. Link to online entries https://entry4sports.co.uk/#/
Timetable LICC Timetable 10-07-21docx
Entries Close on Midnight on Monday 5 July
QUADKIDS – Takes place prior to the London Inter Club Challenge on Saturday 10 July
CLYDE GORDON will be managing the event, with registration from 09.30am, first event starts at 10.00am, and completion around 11.30am, and is free to enter for Shaftesbury members and is £2 for non-members. Quadkids is primarily for school years 3 to 7 inclusive, ie age 7 to 12 and includes the four core disciplines of running (600m), throwing (Vortex Howler), jumping (Long Jump) and sprinting (75m). All are welcome and Parents you may be asked to join in by helping out on maybe one of the events
LONDON ANNIVERSARY GAMES – Takes place on to Tuesday 13 July at Gateshead.
For full information on tickets and how to get there please use this link – http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/
LEE VALLEY OPEN MEETING FIXTURES MAY TO SEPTEMBER – The fixtures can be found on their website https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/athletics-events
100m/200m Sprint Series – Wednesday 7 July (Closing date Sunday 4 July), Wednesday 4 August (Closing date Sunday 1 August), Wednesday 1 September (Closing date Sunday 29 August). Age-groups Under 13 and above. Entries are not open at present.
Double 100m Sprint Series – Wednesday 21 July (Closing date Sunday 18 July), Wednesday 18 August (Closing date Sunday 15 August). Age-groups Under 13 and above. Entries are not open at present.
Regarding Closing Dates – An Event Could Be Full Maybe 1-2 Weeks Before The Meeting Date, So Enter Early.
EUROPEAN UNDER 20 CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place from Thursday 15 July to Sunday 18 July in Tallinn, Estonia.
Please Note: You will be selected for these Championships
ENGLAND SENIOR & CAU CHAMPIONSHIPS – Takes place on Saturday 17 July and Sunday 18 July at the Bedford International Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford (Satnav MK41 9SB).
For all entry details and full information please use this link – http://www.englandathletics.org/england-athletics/english-national-championships
Please Note: For the CAU Championships you will be selected by your County Team Manager
MIDDLESEX YOUNG ATHLETES LEAGUE ROUND 4 – The fourth fixture of four takes place on Sunday 18 July at StoneX Stadium, Greenlands Lane, Hendon (Satnav NW4 1RL)./strong>
Age-Groups Under 13, 15 & 17 Men/Women. The events are as follows – 150m, 200m, 800, 4x100m Relay, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot, Hammer, Discus. This is the link to the timetable –
Note: You will have to be selected by your Team Manager.
To Be Confirmed: Those athletes who wish to compete as a non-scorer, please contact your Team Manager no later than Thursday 15 July as the declarations have to be in on Friday 16 July.
STANDARD CHARTERED GREAT CITY RACE – Takes place on Tuesday 20 July on the streets of London.
Please Note: For all information including entering yourself online please use this link – https://www.cityrace.co.uk/entry/index.html
RYAN CROUSER SMASHES SHOT PUT WORLD RECORD – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.
American throws (23.37m) to beat RANDY BARNES’ long-standing mark at the US Team Trials in Eugene. RANDY BARNES’ world shot put record has finally fallen to RYAN CROUSER. Such has been CROUSER’S form recently, there was an air of inevitability about it. But BARNES’ mark of (23.12m) has been untouchable since 1990. Untouchable until Friday (18 June), that is, at the US Team Trials in Eugene, when CROUSER threw (23.37m) to create history. BARNES’ long-standing record has been a controversial one too. After he threw his (23.12m) in Los Angeles in May 1990 he failed a doping test for a steroid three months later in Malmo. Eight years later he was given a lifetime ban for a further doping offence too. However, he passed a drugs test after his world record throw and so it was allowed to stand. Many track and field fans will therefore be pleased to see the 28-year-old reigning Olympic champion beat the mark. “It felt like a huge weight lifted,” he said. “I knew it’s been a possibility or potential to do it since 2017.”
CROUSER broke the world indoor record earlier this year and had given a hint he was in record-breaking form earlier in the day at the US Team Trials when he threw (22.92m) in qualifying – the fifth best throw in history. A few hours later in the final he opened with 2(2.61m) to take an early lead followed by (22.55m) and (22.73m). In the fourth round, though, CROUSER broke BARNES’ record with (23.37m). After celebrating, he then fouled his fifth effort and finished with (22.62m) to close his competition and, of course, book his place in the American team for the Olympics alongside runner-up JOE KOVACS and PAYTON OTTERDAHL. CROUSER was born in Oregon a couple of years before BARNES’ world record throw and his family is steeped in throwing. His father MITCH CROUSER was an alternate on the 1984 Olympic discus team, while his uncle BRIAN qualified for two Olympic teams in the javelin and another uncle, DEAN, was a good shot putter and discus thrower.
IS JAN ZELEZNY’S WORLD JAVELIN RECORD ON BORROWED TIME – The following article was published on the Athletics Weekly website recently.
This year marked the 25th anniversary of JAN ZELEZNY’S world record, but could this be the year in which it falls? JAMES DIXON explores the background to this long-standing mark. On Tuesday 25 May, JAN ZELEZNY’S javelin world record was 25 years old. However, for the Czech star synonymous with gold, the silver anniversary of his (98.48m) throw may be his last time atop the all-time standings.
Somewhat lost in the maelstrom of a 2020 outdoor season almost completely overshadowed by coronavirus and the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics was an enormous throw by JOHANNES VETTER. His (97.76m) effort last September at the Skolimowska Memorial meeting in Chorzów, Poland was not only the longest javelin throw for more than two decades, it was the longest throw ever recorded in a closed stadium. “I think that lots of people didn’t think it was possible to throw a javelin more than 95 metres in a closed stadium,” said the 2017 world champion in the afterglow of his achievement. I did it and I think there is a lot of space for improvement. Tiny differences can make a difference of many metres.”
Just to prove his third-round throw wasn’t a fluke, the gregarious German sailed another javelin almost 95 metres in round four – (94.84m) – which would have also overtaken his previous personal best and the national record. It also underlined his return to full fitness. Four days after battling to the bronze medal in the 2019 World Championships in Doha, VETTER went under the surgeon’s knife to correct a long-standing problem with his left ankle ahead of an assault on the Olympic title.
How the world record was set – By any current measure ŽELEZNY is the greatest javelin thrower of all time. He is the world record-holder, the only three-time Olympic javelin champion and the only male to win three world titles (no other male thrower has won more than one world championship title). In terms of 90m throws, ŽELEZNY went beyond that distance on 34 different occasions – nearly a third of all 90m throws ever recorded – and far ahead of his nearest challengers. But even the greats like ŽELEZNY need a bit of luck from time to time. His final world record mark was set in the university town of Jena, in eastern Germany, in almost ideal conditions for javelin throwing. The Ernst-Abbe-Sportfeld in Jena was an open stadium, with only one major stand running alongside the finishing straight. It was shared by the football club FC Carl Zeiss Jena, runners-up in the 1981 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and Sport-Club Motor Jena whose track and field stars included long jump great HEIKE DRECHSLER and PETRA FALKE, the 1988 Olympic women’s javelin champion and the only woman to ever throw beyond (80m). The late spring afternoon meeting benefited from a strong, but legal, tailwind that not only sent ŽELEZNY’S spear almost three metres further than his previous world record of (95.66m), set in Sheffield at the similarly open Don Valley Stadium, but allowed RAYMOND HECHT to also throw (90.06m). It made Jena the first competition in which two different throwers had gone beyond (90m). BORIS OBERGFOLL, who competed as BORIS HENRY before changing his name when he married 2013 world champion CHRISTINA OBERGFOLL, threw (86.94m) and finished third behind ŽELEZNY and HECHT. OBERGFOLL’S distance in Jena would have been good enough to win the 2019 World Championships. OBERGFOLL l now operates as the head javelin coach for the German Athletics Federation and he believes that, had VETTER benefited last year from the conditions ŽELEZNY enjoyed in Jena, the German would not only have broken the world record but become the first man since UWE HOHN to throw a javelin further than (100m). HOHN’S “eternal world record” of (104.80m) was set in 1984 and, like ŽELEZNY’S, it occurred in the relative anonymity of an east German meeting. HOHN, then 22, added more than five metres to TOM PETRANOFF’S existing world record and hastened the development of a new model of javelin that would reduce distances so as not to endanger the high jumpers and vaulters typically found at the opposite end of the field. Javelin records were effectively reset in 1986.
The record contenders – The beauty of ŽELEZNY’S modern record is that it’s one of the few long-standing world marks which athletics fans can have a reasonable degree of confidence in and, should VETTER surpass it this year, he would deserve all the plaudits that would no doubt come his way. But it’s not just VETTER ready to challenge the mark, it’s the greatest generation of German javelin throwers ever assembled. THOMAS ROHLER is the reigning Olympic champion with a lifetime best of (93.90m), while compatriot ANDREAS HILMANN has also thrown in excess of (92m). Since the Rio Olympics, throwing beyond (90m) has been an almost exclusively German pastime, with only Estonia’s MAGNUS KIRT and Taiwan’s CHAO-TSUN CHENG daring to impinge on the club cultivated by the impressive trio. “We have a good infrastructure of coaches in Germany. From the old East and the West. BORIS OBERGFOLL tries to bring together all the different experiences of the throwers so we can learn from each other,” says VETTER. ROHLER concurs. “For a long time throwing was a sport for educated coaches and athletes and Germany had a good base of knowledge. Historically, we had an advantage in sports science,” he says. “The University of Leipzig, for example, does great biomechanical research.” Coincidentally, ROHLER was born in Jena and his father was in attendance to witness the world record mark ŽELEZNY’S set in his hometown. “I didn’t become a javelin thrower just because the world record was thrown in Jena but after I became a thrower it became a huge inspiration,” he says. “It was special to train in the stadium where the world record was thrown.” JAKUB VADLEIJCH is another central European ultimately chasing ŽELEZNY’S place at the pinnacle of the sport. The Czech thrower who finished second behind VETTER at the 2017 World Championships enjoys the unique position of being coached by the current world record-holder. “Of course it motivates me. Athletics is sport of numbers and I remember that result of my coach from my youth when I was not a javelin thrower yet. 98.48m was always a magic number for me.”
The differing approaches – Speaking to VETTER and ROHLER ahead of the season, it’s clear that both have given the possibility of breaking the world record serious thought, though their approaches are markedly different. ROHLER, the elder by approximately 18 months and aged 29, is more circumspect as to whether the perfect alignment of health and stadium conditions will exist to threaten the record. “Javelin is not yoga, it’s a risky sport and we hurt our bodies a lot. Most of the stadiums we throw in are not designed to throw the javelin far,” asserts ROHLER, who is the same age now that ŽELEZNY was when he set his world record. There are fewer open stadiums on the Diamond League circuit than previously and both men are clear that preparing for major championships like this summer’s Olympics, then prize money, are the overriding factors when selecting which competitions to enter. “I think the world record is something that athletes think about very individually,” adds ROHLER. “I am focused on competing and on a long and healthy career in the sport. The world record is not my number one motivation but it is definitely something in the background that is always there.” VETTER, on the other hand, is far more open and comfortable talking about breaking the world record as an ambition. “The conditions have to be right and in the javelin, you need your whole body. You need the right speed, a good plant foot, the right release point, trajectory and transfer of weight. “Trying to throw long is like going into a casino and playing roulette – the odds are against you.” However, something in VETTER’S eyes as he talks eloquently about the enormity of breaking the world record suggests he thinks he might just be the one to eventually overcome the odds.
ROHLER continues: “I believe it is just a matter of time before somebody throws over 100m. I can’t say who will be the person to do it but I’m sure it is possible and it will happen.” The science backs up that hypothesis. Biomechanists have developed machines to replicate the power humans are able to transfer into the javelin and, with perfect technique, release speed and trajectory the 100m barrier is broken with ease. The question is: which human will be able to minimise their technical flaws and take advantage of favourable aerodynamic conditions to maximise their distance? Furthermore, ROHLER believes that javelin’s continued expansion beyond its traditional European and Scandinavian heartlands will also eventually result in longer distances as more people globally have the opportunity to compete in the sport. His rationale is sound. In the past decade KELSHOM WALCOTT of Trinidad and Tobago became the first black Olympic javelin champion, JULIUS YEGO (Kenya) and ANDERSON PETERS (Grenada) have become world champions, while athletes from Cuba, Japan and Egypt have appeared on world championship rostrums. Prior to WALCOTT’S gold medal in 2012 you had to go back to Munich 1972 to find the last non-European medalist. Another name to watch is the 23-year-old world junior record holder NEERAJ CHOPRA of India. CHOPRA is coached by HOHN, was the second-longest thrower in the world last season and currently has a lifetime best of (88.07m).
Should we expect the world record to fall this season? – One factor that shouldn’t be overlooked in Vetter’s extraordinary performance last season is Covid-19. While the virus wreaked havoc with many athletes’ best laid plans and some, like ROHLER, opted out of the entire season, the delayed return to competition may have inadvertently helped Vetter as he rehabilitated following his ankle surgery. Not that he necessarily agrees. “I like certainty and knowing where I will compete, when I will have my training blocks, but at the moment that’s not always possible. We are all having to adapt. I have to be spontaneous,” he says. Covid-19 remains a complicating factor this season. With no exemption for elite athletes from Germany’s entry requirements, athletes like VETTER and ROHLER are having to plan their schedules with care, lest a competition in a country deemed high risk forces them into up to 10 days of quarantine upon their return. With the Olympics, the primary goal for both, their choices up until the Tokyo javelin final will be made with that almost exclusively in mind. Nevertheless, both men believe that the world record can be broken and, if it’s going to be a German thrower who takes it from ŽELEZNY, expect that to happen in the near future.
CHANGE OF DATE AND VENUE FOR THE VITALITY 10 – RAY POWELL has been advised by London Marathon that the date of Monday 31 May has changed to Sunday 11 July. The venue has also changed to Hatfield House, which is a couple of minutes off the A1, the timing’s and roles have not been finalised yet. We have the full complement of 20 volunteers
LATEST UPDATE ON RAY POWELL’S VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS – Hope that you are all keeping well, and a big thank you for those who have volunteered over the past weeks.
Standard Chartered Great City Race Tuesday 20 July and meeting time is 5.30pm – we have now been requested to supply 35 volunteers – currently we have 25 at present – therefore we require 10 more.
Big Half Marathon Sunday 22 August – 30 volunteers required – 15 at present – 15 more required.
London Mini Marathon Sunday 3 October – 62 volunteers needed – 46 at present – 16 more required.
I know that some of the races are a way off, but if you feel that you can help, please let me know now, as it makes the planning a lot easier. Please contact CLARE & RAY at ray571m@btopenworld.com
SOUTHERN CHAMPIONSHIPS – All entries are now open for all Championships, and can be found on the following link, please enter yourselves – http://seaa.org.uk/index.php/onlinereg
These are the following Championships including Closing Dates;
U13, U15 & U17 21/22 August at Kingston (Closing Date Tuesday 10 August)
FINSBURY PARK 5000m OPEN MEETING – Takes place on Friday 16 July at the London Marathon Athletic Track, Finsbury Park.
Age-groups Under 17 and above, and starts at 18.45pm. Link to enter https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2021/GBR/finsbury-park-5000s/
JONATHAN KILSBY’S MEMORIAL DAY – JONATHAN loved Trent Park; as children, we lived only a few hundred yards from its entrance and, throughout his life, it was a one of his favourite training areas. To commemorate JONATHAN’S life, we are going to have a walk-in Trent Park on Saturday 31st July. All of JONATHAN’S friends, family and colleagues are invited to join us. It will be a very informal event, with a walk of about an hour to one of JONATHAN’S most loved areas of the park, where we will stop and have our own thoughts about his kind, good humoured and generous life.
We will meet at midday at the carpark by the Trent Park Café, near the Cockfosters entrance to the park. (Post code: EN4 0JY). https://goo.gl/maps/GoZe6V4hvt18MpZKA/a>
If you are a runner then, on the same morning, Barnet and District Athletic Club will be completing their training session in JONATHAN’S memory. They will be meeting at 9:00 at the same location and training for around 90 minutes. Runners from all JONATHAN’S former running clubs and of all abilities are welcome.
There is no need, at this point, to let us know if you intend coming along. We appreciate that planning anything at the moment has its challenges, particularly two months in advance. We will email again, two weeks before the 31st July, with any further details and updates to the day.
TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES ALL SCHEDULES – It is not long now before we take to the armchair for 19 days of sport, from Wednesday 21 July. When the games take place, Tokyo is 9 hours ahead of GMT time in London. This is the link to the schedule for all 46 competitions – https://tokyo2020.org/en/schedule/ Just click on any of the competitions, and their detailed schedule will be shown.
Regarding Athletics this is the schedule, which commences on Friday 30 July – https://tokyo2020.org/en/schedule/athletics-schedule
On the first day of Athletics, which is on Friday 30 July, Tokyo morning session commences from 09.00 to 12noon, which means in London the session commences at Midnight on Friday 30 July, and finishes at 3.00m. Their evening session commences from 19.00 to 21.00, which means in London the session commences at 10.00 on Friday 30 July, and finishes at 12noon. The following sessions times vary slightly.
BIRMINGHAM 2022 UNVEILS TICKETS AND FULL EVENT SCHEDULE – To view the event schedule for the Games and find out how to set up your ticketing account, click here. You can now register for the ticket ballot here, with residents from the West Midlands able to apply in July. The main ticket ballot starts in September.
BIRMINGHAM 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES, OPEN FOR VOLUNTEERS – Birmingham 2022 are looking for more than 13,000 spirited, dedicated and dynamic volunteers to be the heartbreak of the Commonwealth Games, a community of passionate people coming together to help deliver the biggest sporting and cultural event the West Midlands have ever seen. As part of the Commonwealth Collective, you’ll be the public face of Birmingham 2022, the heart and soul of the Games experience for athletes, officials, spectators, and a global audience of more than one billion.
For more information on volunteering, this is the link – https://www.birmingham2022.com/get-involved/volunteering/
BIRMINGHAM 2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES – You may wish to sign up to receive their Newsletter. Link – https://www.birmingham2022.com/register-your-interest/. Tickets will be on sale later this year, and can only be purchased through the official Commonwealth Games website, this is the link to register – https://www.birmingham2022.com/the-games/tickets/. This is the link to the current schedule for the 25 events – https://images.birmingham2022.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/11441664_CWGs_Daily_Competition_Schedule_FINAL.pdf.
ATHLETICS take place at the Alexander Stadium 2-7 August, with the Marathons on 30 July. There will be 59 medal events including a fully integrated Para Sport programme. TRIATHLON and PARA TRIATHLON take place at Sutton Park 29 and 31 July. The Individual races contest a 750m swim, 20km cycle, 5km run, and the Team races contest a 250m swim, 7km cycle, 1.5km run. Link to all events – https://www.birmingham2022.com/the-games/sports/?utm_source=workflow&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=popup_work_flow_send_welcome_autoresponder_pop_up_footer_form&utm_content=2021-02-05
Shaftesbury’s ANGUS MCKENZIE was appointed as Competition Manager (Athletics) last year, and the article on him can be found in the 26 November SBH Newsletter.
SBH SUBSCRIPTIONS 2020-2021 – SBH Treasurer GEOFF MORPHITIS has sent me the following regarding subscriptions.
The Club AGM took place virtually at 19.30 on Tuesday 24 November. One of the resolutions which was passed dealt with Club Subscriptions as follows. “The Annual Membership Fee for new members from 1 December 2020 will increase to £50. Existing members who have paid their membership fee for year ended 30 September 2020 will be considered as having also paid their fee for the year ended 30 September 2021.
In other words, in recognition of the disruption caused by Covid-19, these members will have 2 years membership for the price of one.” Therefore, I’m now asking athletes who have not paid their subscription for the year ended 30/09/20 (£45) to pay, so as to qualify for the 2 for 1 concession together with the England Athletics Registration Fee of £15 for 2020/21. The total is £60 and should be paid NOW to; ACCOUNT NAME: SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS, BANK: HSBC, ACCOUNT NUMBER: 41308378, SORT CODE: 400426 – Please let me know when payment is made. Thanks GEOFF
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OF INTEREST CAN BE FOUND ON THE SBH WEBSITE BY USING THIS LINK – http://sbharriers.co.uk/
Section ‘About Us’, includes Annual Reports, Best Performance Trophy Awards, Individual And Relay Best Performances By Year, Club Records and SBH All-Time Top 10 T&F Performances.
Section ‘Team Managers And Competitions’, shows details of Track & Field, Cross Country and Road Relays Team Managers.
Section ‘Future Information/Results’, includes Information On Each Fixture, Summer & Winter Fixture Cards, Winter X/C Points Tables and Winter Club Championships Winners.
SHAFTESBURY BARNET HARRIERS NEW CLUB KIT JUNE 2021 – They are now available to purchase from our club kit supplier, Supreme Sports – click on the link for the full range – https://www.supreme-sports.co.uk/webshop/schools-and-clubs/shaftesbury-barnet-harriers/
By opening the link, you will be on the front page, which displays the men’s items. Click on SBH LADIES for the women’s items, or click on SBH KIDS for the young athletes’ items.
CLUB RED HOODIES – With well over eight hundred hoodies already in circulation, this is your opportunity to join the club!!!!
They are now available to purchase from our club kit supplier, Supreme Sports – click on the link – https://www.supreme-sports.co.uk/webshop/schools-and-clubs/shaftesbury-barnet-harriers/
The current cost is £35.
STONEX STADIUM NOW OPEN – StoneX Stadium is now open to Club members, under strict conditions. Check with your Coach for details.
SBH MIDWEEK JUMPS CLUB AT STONEX STADIUM – The current arrangements until further notice are that Pole Vault training is on Monday’s and Wednesday’s from 18.30pm to 21.00pm. High Jump training is on Wednesday’s from 18.45pm to 21.00pm.
Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk in advance and let him know if you are planning to attend.
POLE VAULTERS REQUIRED FOR 2021 – To all athletes young & old – are you aware of the SBH Pole Vault sessions held at StoneX Stadium on Monday & Wednesday evenings from 18.30pm. We have room to coach more of you, why not come along and watch a session and the get involved.
We were unable to fill our full quota of athletes in the Pole Vault, in the Eastern Young Athletes League in either 2018 and 2019 – so why not give it a try NOW.
Please contact the session administrator CLYDE GORDON at clydeg67@hotmail.co.uk for more details.
STONEX STADIUM EAST STAND INDOOR AREA – Currently closed.
STEEPLECHASE TRAINING AT STONEX STADIUM – Currently Suspended.
PARKRUN – Can you make sure that you are registered as ‘Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers’, as the link I use to select all results only shows SBH athletes. If anyone is also officiating can you please contact me and advise me where and when.
CAN YOU HELP PLEASE – During the period when all competitions are suspended, I will do my upmost in keeping the Newsletter information and other content going.
I would welcome any contributions From Yourselves, any impending marriages, or additions to the family, any running or competing incidents, also past warm weather training/holidays (No Club 24 please). Currently the response has been excellent, but if you have anything that could make it into next week’s Newsletter – please email me.
PHOTOGRAPH’S – From time to time we have photographs of our members taken at meetings or presentations which we would like to use both on the website or incorporated within our report to our local newspaper. Can you please let me know if you do NOT want your photograph to be published. Also, I would appreciate if you could send me any photographs, which I can then publish on the website and newsletter.
FACEBOOK – Photographs can be found on the SBH page.
CURRENT DISTRIBUTION OF SHAFTESBURY INFORMATION – Currently I notify members (by email) using “MailChimp”. The reason I changed, was in November 2017 “Gmail” put a limit of 100 addresses that users could send to in a 24-hour period, and currently I send to approximately 850 members each issue.
On seeking technical advice “MailChimp” was recommended as the best way for SBH to go forward. There is one thing you should be aware off is that when you receive an email from me, the footer at the bottom has 4 options, of which one is “Unsubscribe Me From List”. Could I ask you not to select this as if you do you will be automatically removed from my distribution list.
SBH PRIVACY STATEMENT – In becoming a member, SBH will collect certain information about you. Can you please read the attached ‘Privacy Statement’ which contains Information on General Data Protection Regulations – SBH Privacy Statement Final April 2018
STONEX STADIUM (FORMERLY BARNET COPTHALL STADIUM) – Main Switchboard telephone number is 020 3675 7250.
CHARGES FOR USING STONEX STADIUM (FORMERLY BARNET COPTHALL STADIUM) – Currently the Stadium is closed.
ALAN WELLER – SBH NEWSLETTER EDITOR AND WEBMASTER