Athletics: Williams heads for world event

SYDNEY - Hammer thrower Tasha Williams has become the first New Zealander to qualify for this year's world athletics championships after a breakthrough performance at the Canberra grand prix meeting yesterday.

The talented Christchurch athlete surpassed her own national record with a sixth and final throw of 65.29m.

Barring any major mishaps, she will compete at the world championships in Edmonton, Canada, in early August.

Williams, who was below her best at last September's Olympic Games in Sydney, had hinted that such a big throw was within her after showing good form in the past few weeks.

She threw a 64.75m last month and had been consistent, if not spectacular, in Australia this week.

Her best was 62.07m in Sydney on Friday and she reached 63.88m yesterday before her mammoth final effort.

However, the throw was good enough only for second place.

New South Wales' Bronwyn Eagle took advantage of perfect conditions to win with a Commonwealth record 68.73m, also with her final throw.

Wellington sprinter Matthew Coad rounded out a fine preparation for the New Zealand championships in Hastings next weekend with sharp performances over 100m and 200m.

Coad ran a season-best 20.91s in lane eight to finish second over the longer distance.

He went under the 21s mark for the first time this season after going close several times lately.

With a light tailwind at their backs, Australian Patrick Johnson headed home a strong field in 20.64s, enough to qualify for the world champs.

Coad is not far from the qualifying time of 20.72s.

He was seventh in the 100m final, also won by Johnson, with a solid 10.39s.

Rebecca Wardell was an impressive winner of the women's 400m final in a personal best 52.69s.

Chantal Brunner won the women's long jump with an encouraging 6.49m.

Other New Zealanders to win yesterday were Ian Winchester in the men's discus (58.87m) and Aaron Langdon in the men's long jump (7.67m).

Both were below their efforts recorded in Sydney on Friday.

- NZPA