Written by Bridget Cushen on 29 Oct 2016

Swirling wind plays havoc on Day 3
Live streaming has huge worldwide interest

We are still waiting for summer here in Perth with the wind whipping up to 3.2 for the men’s 100m semis in the afternoon on Day 3; the pole vaulters are also affected, but it is good news all round for the British sprinters, Stephen Peters clocked 12.21 in his M60 heat and the other golden boy of sprinting, Texan Bill Collins is also through in the M65 (12.52).

With ample warm-up facilities that includes a roped off throwing area, within a 2-minute walk away, friendly helpful Officials and Volunteers competitors are happily settling in and enjoying the atmosphere.   A 16-strong Kenyan team has now arrived for only their second appearance at a WMA Championships.  You can follow live action at www.perth2016.com.

There are many British successes. After finishing 2nd in Heat 4, Mike Toal went on to take the World M45 800 title.  The women’s 5000m were running simultaneously at the second stadium where Lucy Elliott handed her NZ rival Sue Gibbs her second defeat within days in the W50 race. Zara Hyde Peters 4th, Susan Ridley 7th, Jackie Newton 11th, 19 Ann-Marie Gilvray and 20th Tracey Gibson completed the British entry in the 28-strong field. Welsh Masters Caroline Mayers held on to 3rd in the W45 race won in a fast 18.16.10sec by Hong Li, China. Cathy Wellam was out of the medals in the W35 race and both W65 Jannette Stevenson and W70 Pauline Rich added a bronze to their medal tally.

There was a surprise defeat in the W60 5km walk for Australian favourite Lyn Ventris  (27.51.27) by the South African Barbara Nell 27.32.00. Hungarian Fabian Zoltan threw 63.97m in the M45 hammer, Paul Derrien finished 12th.

Carole Filer is streaking ahead on the first day of her W60 heptathlon not bothering to come in until all the others had exited the high jump, she then went on to be equally as emphatic in her 200m race.

Dutchman Vincent Kerssies added 794pts to his M35 Decathlon score with 110mH in 15.62. Wind 3.1. Oliver Guilhem, France went on to become World champion with  6158 pts.  Mattias Sunneburn as expected retained the M45 title notching up 7508pts. Geoff Butler held on to 7th with a  4096pts score.  Officials had to cope with eleven Decathlons in the main stadium.

 

By admin