Athletics: Kiwi shot putter claims silver

Despite having a virus Jacko Gill still finished second at the Youth Games. Photo / Paul Estcourt

New Zealand's world junior champion Jacko Gill claimed a shot put silver medal at the Youth Olympics in Singapore overnight despite suffering from a virus.

Gill, two years younger than all his rivals, has dropped 3kgs to 86kg after falling ill since arriving in Singapore.

"He was definitely not his usual self. He was slower, less speed and not as explosive," coach Didier Poppe said.

"I noticed he was sitting down all the time after his throw where usually he is always moving around. He is smaller than the others but he has good elevation and that was not there tonight.

"Still he had two personal best throws when he was not feeling so good, so that is very okay."

Top qualifier Krzysztof Brzozowski of Poland opened with a 23.25m throw, nearly a metre more than his previous best.

Gill answered in round two with a personal best 22.60m effort to take the silver behind Brzozowski.

Gill was not making any excuses and placed high expectations on himself after his performance at the world juniors and his form in training.

"Overall I am actually disappointed. In training I had been easily getting over the 23m all the time but I just could not click tonight," Gill said.

"To get out there and throw a reasonable distance is alright. I've been a bit sick and lost some weight but absolutely no excuses though.

"Now I will set myself for nationals back home and aim at beating the Polish guy's winning distance and set myself up for a good season."

In boxing, Auckland super heavyweight Joseph Parker has earned New Zealand a shot a gold medal when he retired Hungary's Jozsef Zsigmond 37 seconds into the second round of their semifinal with a powerful straight right.

He will meet Tony Yoka of France in the final.

In junior women's hockey New Zealand were beaten 1-0 by Argentina in their final pool match and will now meet Korea tomorrow in the bronze medal playoff.

Results:

Athletics, A final:

Junior men's shot put: Krzysztof Brzozowski (Poland) 23.23m 1 (PB); Jackson Gill (NZ) 22.60m 2 (PB); Dennis Lewke (Germany) 21.22m 3 (PB).

10,000m walk: Igor Lyashchenko (Ukraine) 42:43.93, 1; Oscar Villavicencio (ECU) 43:46.00, 2; Pavel Parshin (Russia) 44:16.04, 3. Also: Matthew Holcroft (NZ) dnf.

Boxing, super heavyweight (Plus 91kg), semifinal: Joseph Parker (NZ) bt Jozsef Zsigmond (Hungary) retired 37s into second round.

Hockey, final pool games: New Zealand 0 Argentina 1, Korea 2 Netherlands 2, Ireland 1 South Africa 0.

Final pool points: Argentina 13, Netherlands 11, New Zealand 9, Korea 7, Ireland 3, South Africa 0.

- NZPA