Athletics: Beatrice out of world champs

Beatrice Faumuina is putting her studies ahead of athletics for now. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Beatrice Faumuina will not throw the discus at August's world championships in Berlin.

Barring an injury in 2001, which forced her to miss the world championships in Edmonton, Faumuina has been to every major meet since the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

Faumuina decided to opt out of the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon last weekend, preferring to return to concentrate on her upcoming Bachelor of Business Studies exams.

Coach Ross Dallow says that was her last opportunity to set an A standard qualifying throw of 62m - she had thrown just 56.73m the previous week in New York.

"One of the problems is if you don't strike decent weather three weeks before you go away you'll struggle to hit peak form," Dallow said.

"We created a circle at the indoor running track, downstairs at the stadium in Waitakere, but that can only be used for doing drills and half speed turns. You have to get outdoors to simulate actual throwing conditions, much like track events."

He says while some claimed she simply didn't turn up last week, Faumuina had only made enquiries but hadn't officially entered.

"We did consider the second meet but Beatrice is getting no funding from Athletics New Zealand at the moment. And look, we accept that. We'll have to put in a hard winter's work and 'rev up' for next season."

The 34 year-old had met the B qualifying standard with a throw of 60.03m earlier in the year.

Athletics New Zealand convenor of selectors Graham O'Brien says he respects the fact Faumuina has made the call.

"Beatrice has been around a long time and knows how far she's capable of throwing, having been a world champion. She's probably decided something's not quite there at present."

Coach Dallow says Faumuina intends to return to make next year's Delhi Commonwealth Games team. O'Brien also hopes that's the case.

"We're in the process of setting the qualifying standards but I think you'd find Beatrice would be able to do them in her sleep so it becomes a question of availability, given she's been there, done that. We'd love to see her back throwing next summer so I hope it's not the end and she still enjoys it."

Dallow says despite missing out this time, her overall record remains strong, highlighted by a world championship win in 1997 and 16 national titles, two winning spins short of Valerie Young.