Nothing more epitomises the depth, resilience and sheer tenacity of the human spirit than the efforts and performances by the athletes in the recent Rio Olympic and Paralympics games.
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In particular, seeing and hearing stories of athletes in the way they have overcome their own particular adversities through their fortitude, grit and the guidance of mentors and coaches, and how this has enabled each individual to feel as complete individuals in their own respective cultures and societies has been truly inspirational.
One young lad who epitomises this resilience of the human spirit is Athletics Wollongong's own James Turner. James contested the T36 800m event in the Paralympics Games.
At the start of the race, James looked very cool, even smiling at the camera. His competitors on the other hand looked quite tense in comparison. Maybe they knew in advance what was going to happen.
After a comfortable start, James was already several metres ahead at the 250m mark. Commentators were already predicting his demise. But, at the end of the first lap he was 8 metres ahead and still they were predicting he would fail.
However their tune changed with 200m metres to go. James fired up the after burners and left all and sundry in a cloud of dust.
Not only did he win gold for his country, Wollongong and his very proud family and coaches, but obliterated the world record by three seconds. A totally awesome performance.
Other awesome performances of late have been some of our juniors in the recent Combined Catholic Colleges Athletics carnival at SOPAC.
Young Austin Lantry placed first in the 14 years’ high jump with a height of 1.73m, whilst Harrison Illiffe placed 1st in 12 years high jump 1.49m and the long jump 4.87m.
Hannah Crinnion continued her good form after breaking the Diocese 14 years long jump record 2 weeks earlier with a jump of 4.98m, this time in wet conditions jumping 4.89m to take home a state Gold.
On the track our best results came from Elena Delavaris G14 who placed 1st in both 100 and 200, while Tierney Dunne G14 was 3rd in 100 and 5th in 200.
In the hurdles Isaac O’Brien B15 placed 1st in 100m H, Leroy Veerhuis B14, 2nd in 14 years 100m H, and Chelsey-Rose Jackson g 13, bronze in the 80m hurdles.
Newcomer Tenaya Necovski g13 showed improvement in the 100, 200 and 400m events.
Natasha Katsoudas G17, placed 4th in 400m, 7th in 200m and 9th overall in 100m.
The Australian Masters Throwing Championships will be held at Beaton Park this coming weekend. Events will cover shotput, hammer, discus, javelin and weight throw, plus two spectator events, the weight for distance and weight for height events which were borrowed from the highland games
This Wednesday night, September 28, is our first club meet of the season, featuring the inaugural James Turner 800m race. For new members, our Registrar Peter Kidd will be on site at Beaton Park from 4.30pm for anyone who wants to register or you can go online at www.aw.org.au to speed up the process.
A gate entry fee is payable to Beaton Park upon entry for all club nights. Competing is free after entry.
