Latest news with #sprinting
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Glenpark Harrier puts name in history books with powerful performance
Simon Okiti was flying the flag for Inverclyde yet again (Image: Supplied) A GREENOCK athlete wrote their name in the history books in a powerful performance last weekend. Glenpark Harriers' Simon Okiti bounced back to form at the weekend with a season's best and national standard performance. Advertisement The Glenpark Harrier has impressed on the big stage (Image: Supplied) Simon travelled to Eton back on the hunt for medals following a stunning hat-trick back in April. He made the trip to contest the UK Athletic League Premier Division for Glasgow Jaguars. Competing in the Premier Division means that Simon is taking on the fastest athletes from across the UK. Heading into the weekend, he was keen to test a new race plan in the 100 metres. After a steady start, he was soon into his running, working through the phases before crossing the line in a season-best finish. His performance did not go unnoticed and his learnings were put to good use as he was selected to anchor the 4x100 metre relay squad later in the day. Advertisement Joining Glasgow's fastest quartet, Simon exploded into action as the baton got to him with 100m to go. Okiti was soon at top speed, mixing it with some of the UK's top sprinters. Undeterred by the company he was rubbing shoulders with, he powered the team home, stopping the clock in a time that took them to the top of the Scottish rankings and the third fastest relay time in history. Simon's season now progresses toward Grangemouth, Cardiff and Derby in the coming weeks.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
John Hawkes: Ka Ying Rising still has a box to tick for The Everest
Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes has provided his expert endorsement of the sprinting talents of The Everest favourite Ka Ying Rising – but with one qualification. 'Ka Ying Rising looks a really, really good horse but he has got to travel from Hong Kong and settle in here,'' Hawkes said. 'Most probably he will be fine but it is never easy when you are travelling a horse overseas. 'At least he has a very good trainer (Hall of Famer David Hayes) and he's a mature horse now. 'He should be OK and if he gets here without a problem then he is going to be hard beat but you never really know until they do it.'' There's nearly five months to the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18 but Ka Ying Rising is the dominant $1.90 TAB Fixed Odds favourite ahead of Newcastle's unbeaten Private Harry at $6 and the Hawkes Racing -trained Briasa at $8. Ka Ying Rising is spelling after a perfect Hong Kong season where he won all his eight starts brilliantly, including four at Group 1 level culminating with his runaway win in the Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin in late April. The John Size-trained Helios Express, who was placed in seven races behind Ka Ying Rising this season, made the most of his formidable rival's absence with a fast-finishing win in the Group 3 Sha Tin Handicap on Saturday night, running a fast 1m 8.14s. But the very talented Helios Express is being called Hong Kong's version of Hay List, the outstanding sprinter who was unfortunately born in the same era as the unbeatable Black Caviar and often ran second, albeit well beaten, behind the great mare. Ka Ying Rising has not yet been locked in by a slot-holder for The Everest but this seems only a matter of time with Hong Kong Jockey Club in advanced talks with slot-holder Australian Turf Club. The Hawkes-trained Briasa is a confirmed Everest starter after being snapped up by slot-holders Max Whitby, Neil Werrett and Col Madden. Briasa is spelling after winning the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick during The Championships in April before finishing fourth to Jimmysstar in the All Aged Stakes. Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his sons Wayne and Michael, said Briasa and the stable's other autumn Group 1 winners, Nepotism (Champagne Stakes) and Devil Night (Blue Diamond Stakes) will return to light work this month. 'The good thing with Briasa is he's already qualified (slot) for The Everest, so it's great to get that out of the way,'' Hawkes said. 'The Everest is a very tough race, it won't be easy to win, but we are in with a chance. 'We are only planning to give Briasa one or two runs before The Everest. Horses like him won't have too many runs each preparation as that way they can keep racing for longer.'' The Hawkes stable also had success with Liberty State at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday with the smart mare overcoming a wide run to score an impressive first-up win. Liberty State, who helped boost the Hawkes stable's earnings for the 2024-25 season to a personal-best $10.87 million and counting, also earned praise from winning rider, Dylan Gibbons. 'Ideally I would have been happy with three deep, four deep wasn't part of the plan,'' Gibbons said. 'But when you are out there, there isn't much you can do so I was happy to leave her in her rhythm. 'She seemed to love that ground, there was no kickback in her face, and it gave her the chance to explode.'' Gibbons is hoping he can retain the ride on Liberty State as the mare has an unbeaten second-up record. 'Normally, I'm a big believer when horses go so well first-up they can taper off at their second runs back,'' Gibbons said. 'But I told Michael (Hawkes) and her owners I would not be surprised if that hasn't knocked the wind out of her at all. 'She seemed to pull up in good order and came back in like it was nothing. It will be interesting to see what sort of level she can get to now on the basis of that win.''
CNA
3 days ago
- General
- CNA
Kennedy becomes first Australian to crack 10 second barrier in 22 years
Lachlan Kennedy became the first Australian sprinter to legally break the 10-second barrier for the 100 metres in more than two decades when he won the sprint event at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday. Kennedy crossed the line in 9.98 seconds to join national record holder Patrick Johnson as the only Australian to have dipped under the 10-second mark and the first to do so in 22 years. "I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super stoked to get the win and the time," Kennedy said. "It's so good. I can finally say I run 9! I haven't wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually." Kennedy had been locked in a battle with teenage rival Gout Gout to become the first Australian to break the 10-second barrier since Johnson set the national record of 9.93 seconds at the Mito International meet in Japan in 2003. Gout has run a wind-assisted sub-10-second 100 metres but Kennedy is the first of the pair to do so legally, having previously run 10 seconds flat in the heats of the Australian championships in Perth in April. "I'm getting better with every race," the 21-year-old told Australian Athletics. "It's an advantage to have a long season at home. I'm not getting tired, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the World Championships."
Reuters
3 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Kennedy becomes first Australian to crack 10 second barrier in 22 years
June 1 (Reuters) - Lachlan Kennedy became the first Australian sprinter to legally break the 10-second barrier for the 100 metres in more than two decades when he won the sprint event at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday. Kennedy crossed the line in 9.98 seconds to join national record holder Patrick Johnson as the only Australian to have dipped under the 10-second mark and the first to do so in 22 years. "I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super stoked to get the win and the time," Kennedy said. "It's so good. I can finally say I run 9! I haven't wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually." Kennedy had been locked in a battle with teenage rival Gout Gout to become the first Australian to break the 10-second barrier since Johnson set the national record of 9.93 seconds at the Mito International meet in Japan in 2003. Gout has run a wind-assisted sub-10-second 100 metres but Kennedy is the first of the pair to do so legally, having previously run 10 seconds flat in the heats of the Australian championships in Perth in April. "I'm getting better with every race," the 21-year-old told Australian Athletics. "It's an advantage to have a long season at home. I'm not getting tired, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the World Championships."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Curtis' Altheimer sprints to three state track titles, East Valley's Garcia talks repeat
Nicholas 'Nico' Altheimer — a.k.a. 'That Guy' — can officially consider himself the state's fastest high schooler. Curtis' star senior used a strong jump from the starting blocks and flew to Saturday's 4A Boys 100M Dash title (10.59), completing his quest for the title of Washington's top sprinter at the WIAA State Championships at Mount Tahoma. 'I knew I had this race in my bag,' he told The News Tribune with a smile. 'I wasn't worried. I came in front of this crowd knowing that I was going to do it. That's what I wanted to do.' Altheimer owns the state's fastest 100-meter dash this spring (10.35), torching Thursday's preliminaries (10.52) and securing Saturday's gold medal by two-tenths of a second. 'I felt like I got out really good,' he said. 'I was able to hold it and finish, and that's the only thing that matters to me.' Altheimer donned his gold medal atop the podium in front of a packed, overflowing crowd at Mount Tahoma Stadium — but the 6-foot-3, 190-pound speedster's afternoon was far from finished. By day's end, there were three gold medals around his neck. The anchor of Curtis' state-record 4A Boys 4x100M relay finished the Vikings title run (40.93), outlasting Glacier Peak for the gold in Saturday's final. Jayden Rice-Claiborne, Isaac Brooks, Kamil Ross, and Altheimer ran an all-time state-record 40.84 in Friday's preliminaries, taking down a state meet record (Garfield, 1986) that stood for 39 years. 'Very special,' Altheimer said. 'To run it back senior year and win it all? I'm very happy with it. It's special to me.' The bubbling, confident Altheimer saved perhaps his best run for last — a dominant, 21.07-second run for glory in the 4A Boys 200M Dash, setting a new state meet record. He surpassed Wilson's Darrell Robinson's 1982 mark (21.26) recorded some 43 years ago. 'I came out here, did what I needed to do, and took it home,' Altheimer said. 'I was a little nervous, but to be honest, I know what type of athlete I am. I know the speed and power I have.' He's far from arrogant, but Altheimer sensed a triple-crown-like afternoon in the cards. Where and when did his self-belief blossom? 'It really comes from my Mom, the way I'm so positive and so overly confident with myself and my abilities,' he said. 'It's really how my Mom raised me and taught me: you know that you can do it. So as long as you believe that you can do it, you can.' Altheimer was one of four South Sound runners to claim 100-meter dash titles on Saturday, a dominant showing by the area's top sprinters. Mount Tahoma freshman Kanai Kennedy struck gold in his first state meet, capturing the 3A Boys 100M Dash title on his home turf (10.80). Kent-Meridian's Marcella Jones won Saturday's 3A Girls 100M Dash (12.17) and Emerald Ridge sophomore Iren Derricks claimed her second 4A Girls 100M title in as many years (11.68), completing her quest for back-to-back championships. Next year's meet could bring a Derricks three-peat. 'It's amazing,' Derricks said. 'It's something that I thought about. Sometimes, it feels like a dream. To be back-to-back as a freshman and sophomore is insane. 'It's awesome, and (something) a lot of people don't have a chance to do. It feels great.' Derricks and Jones won second state titles Saturday: Emerald Ridge's star set a new state meet record in the 4A Girls 200M Dash (24.10) and Jones paced the 3A Girls 300M Hurdles (42.78). Kent-Meridian's sprinter couldn't stop smiling. 'I knew there was going to be a lot of competition today,' she said. 'The girls were here to bring it, so I just knew I had to trust in my training, trust in God's plan, and just execute the plan. That's what we did today.' Eddie Bruner Jr.'s jaw dropped to the turf. Unaware of his pace until crossing the finish line in Saturday's 3A Boys 400M run, Lincoln's latest state champion turned and couldn't believe the time plastered next to his name — 46.94 seconds. Hands on his head, Bruner Jr. collapsed. Teammates and friends from nearby programs, including Curtis' Altheimer, raced to his side and greeted him with hype. Abes fans stood among the crowd with applause. Why such shock, you ask? 'It was about breaking 47 (seconds),' Bruner Jr. said, who set a new personal record. 'I had to stay focused. When I saw 46, I wasn't expecting to run it, but it just happened. I didn't look at the time. I just let it happen.' It's a repeat championship for Bruner Jr., who won the 2024 3A Boys 400M title (48.53). 'It was all process, staying calm,' he said. 'Trying to stay fierce.' Bruner Jr. went on to finish second in Saturday's 3A Boys 200-meter dash (21.34). Mount Tahoma's Kennedy took fifth (21.96). Veronica Garcia expected the boobirds who flocked to Saturday's 2A Girls 400M Dash at Mount Tahoma Stadium — but the East Valley senior has turned backlash into fuel once again. The first-known transgender athlete to win a WIAA state track and field championship has successfully defended her crown (55.70), cutting through noise and pacing the field by more than one second for repeat state titles in Tacoma. 'I'm proud of myself,' Garcia said. 'I did what I came to do. I think that's good enough for me. '(I was) angry. Not angry as in 'I wanted to give up', but angry as in 'I'm gonna push.'' She wasn't offered high-fives or congratulations from fellow competitors upon crossing the finish line. Boos resurfaced at the awards ceremony, where a packed crowd roared for every contestant until Garcia, some turning against her instead. In 2024, she claimed the 2A Girls 400M Dash with a similar time (55.70) and similar response from a mixed crowd. 'I'll put this in the most PG-13 way — I'm just going to say it's a damn shame that they don't have anything else better to do,' Garcia said. 'I hope they get a life, but oh well. It just shows who they are as people.' Garcia's first win sparked debate regarding the fairness of competition between biological males and females. Last month, the WIAA's representative assembly rejected two amendments that would have prevented transgender athlete participation in girls' sports: Amendment No. 7 — Participation in girls' sports would be limited to biological females. Amendment No. 8 — Athletic programs would be offered separately for boys, girls, and (a third) open division for all students interested. To pass, amendments require 60 percent approval (or 32 votes) from voting members. Amendment No. 7 received 31 votes — one shy of approval — and Amendment No. 8 garnered 13 votes. Both were designated as advisory votes because they did not align with Washington state law, meaning a passing vote wouldn't have immediately translated to implementation for the 2025-26 school year. 'Despite the failure of (Amendment No. 7 and Amendment No. 8), the Association's message remains clear: The WIAA remains committed to following Washington state law and will continue to do so moving forward,' the WIAA wrote in an April 21 press release. 'If state law changes in the future, the WIAA Executive Board holds the authority to revise policies accordingly—and now has input from the membership on how to proceed in that event, while remaining in compliance with state law.' The state law, Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.642.010, states that 'discrimination in Washington public schools on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, natural origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability is prohibited.'
