Track and field: Faumuina lacks the show-stopper

Throughout a discus-throwing career laced with medals and titles, Beatrice Faumuina has always been able to call on at least one big throw. One giant heave to rescue her if things started going pear-shaped.

Last night at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Faumuina went calling again but there was no answer as her drive for Commonwealth Games history ended in utter mortification.

Instead of winning a third consecutive gold medal, as so many New Zealand supporters hoped and expected, Faumuina, 31, slumped to fourth, failing to clear 60m in her most forgettable performance at a major meet.

Her fifth throw was her best but the 59.12m distance was a world away from 65m-plus throws Faumuina would produce in her prime in the late 1990s. It is nearly 10m less than her personal best.

South African teacher Elizna Naude took advantage of Faumuina's failings last night, winning with a best of 61.55m. Second was little-known Indian Seema Antil with 60.56m while Australian 17-year-old Dani Samuels edged into third in the sixth and final round with 59.44m.

Faumuina said she missed her trump card when she needed it.

"If I look at all the comps that I have won, I've only won it with one throw," Faumuina said.

"I've only really had one consistent comp in my entire career (her world championship title in 1997)."

The self-analysis of her flaws at international level continued when reporters asked if she lacked rhythm last night.

"Have I ever (had it)? No I haven't," she said.

"... Good grief. You guys are trying to find excuses and reasons for me."

Faumuina admitted the calf strain she suffered two months ago had affected her training but a bigger problem was the lack of top-level competition.

"We've got absolutely nothing back home and if we haven't got anything back home, we really haven't got anything in Australia either. That's the only concern I would have had."

Faumuina never looked relaxed between throws, often appearing to visualise the ideal throw but not coming close to it. Her fourth and sixth efforts flew out of her hand awkwardly, a resigned expression as the last one wobbled barely 50m summing up her night.

Coach Debbie Strange said it was difficult watching as Faumuina battled within herself to find a winning throw.

"It was just a few little things, a little bit of rhythm. What you saw was what you got today but don't worry, I really believe in her and she'll turn the bad things around to benefit her in the long run."

The 31-year-old said she felt fine as she walked into the stadium and found it hard to explain her "ugly" performance.

"There were some technical faults in there, which I'll go over with Debbie. It's not the end of the story, I know I can fix them.

"I know it's one of those comps where I didn't have everything put together."

She will spend the New Zealand winter at home before building towards next year's world championships in Osaka, Japan. The next step is the Beijing Olympics but Faumuina couldn't commit to the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Dehli.

"Whether I finish at Beijing, to be honest I don't know," she said.

New Zealand's golden hopes at the MCG now switch to Valerie Vili, who competes in tonight's women's shotput final. Another medal chance is Kate McIlroy in the 3000m steeplechase final.

Heptathletes Sarah Cowley and Rebecca Wardell complete their competition although both are well off the pace after the first four events.

Brent Newdick completed a quality decathlon last night, finishing fourth with a total score of 7566 although quite some distance outside the bronze medal score.

He was let down by the shot put, discus and javelin and vowed to improve all three throwing disciplines as he eyes some lofty goals.

"I'm really low on strength training at the moment so I've got to build all of that up. I'm looking for heaps of gains over the next three or four years," he said.

He hoped to improve his personal best beyond the current 7682 to 8000 before competing in the world championships.

- NZPA