Athletics: Faumuina set for Christchurch

Former world discus champion Beatrice Faumuina today confirmed she will take part at the International Track Meet (ITM) in Christchurch next month.

Faumuina became the first New Zealander to win a world championship gold medal when she won in Athens in 1997, though her form at international meetings has been patchy over the past few seasons.

This year she has won at the Capital Classic in Wellington, the Sylvia Potts Classic in Hastings, and the Cooks Classic in Wanganui, all with throws well beyond the Commonwealth Games qualifying distance of 56 metres.

She has broken the qualifying standard six times this season, with a best performance of 61.11m in Wellington last month.

Faumuina, who is looking to repeat her 1998 and 2002 Commonwealth Games wins in New Delhi this year, said she was looking forward to the ITM.

She said it was the first time the discus had been on the meet programme, and it would be the first time she had competed in Christchurch since 2006.

Organiser Craig Motley said he was looking to bringing a strong international performer to compete against Faumuina "to bring out the best in her".

Faumuina was ranked third in the Commonwealth in 2009, and on performances this year would now be up to No 2, behind the world champion Australian Dani Samuels.

- NZPA