World Athletic Championships in Beijing with two Waterford athletes involved
From Saturday next August 22 nd to Sunday August 30 th the World Athletic Championships are in Beijing and two athletes from Ferrybank AC are on the Irish team Thomas Barr in the 400 metres hurdles and the 4 x 400 metres relay and Kelly Proper is in the 200 metres,the Irish team has a total of 16 athletes, 12 competing in individual events plus the relay squad. Thomas Barr easily had the qualifying standard required and with a new quota system this year announced by the IAAF Kelly Proper made the team but was very close to the standard of 23.20 seconds with her 23.24 time and she was a very popular choice by all involved in Irish athletics. The heats of the 400 metres hurdles are on Day 1,the semi finals on Day 2 and the final on Day 4 so assuming Thomas progresses he will have a very busy few days with top class races each day. The 200 metres for Kelly is even more difficult with heats on Day 5,semi finals Day 6 and final on Day 7 The men's 4 x 400 metres relay has semi finals on the second last day and final on the the last Day August 30 th. The Irish team have been in Hong Kong for the past ten days or so.
Thomas aiming for final place
A place in the final of the 400 metres hurdles is Thomas Barr's goal, a famous Waterford female athlete in the same event Susan Smith in 1997 at these championships made the final finishing 7 th, there are 42 entered in the event. Thomas has reached two major championship finals the European Junior in 2011 and European under 23 in 2013 and was a semi finalist in last years European Senior Championships. He is currently ranked 11 th in the world, his Irish record of 48.65 is a very respectable time but depending on the number of qualifiers in heats and semi finals he may have to run faster to progress even in the heats. Of the 42 entered 10 have better times this season than Thomas with five of these times between 48.09 and 48.35 and the other five range from 48.44 to 48.62 not too much better than Thomas.Leading on 48.09 is Bershawn Jackson USA followed by Johnny Dutch USA on 48.13 whom Thomas beat in London and a Kenyan Nicholas Bett has a time of 48.29 and he could be the dark horse, five of the athletes in the top ten have in their time run below 48 seconds. Included in the field are three world champions, two Olympic silver medallists and two Olympic bronze medallists so no easy passage for anyone. We wish Thomas all the best and in top form he can make a bold bid to gain a place in the final and the same applies to all the other athletes who like Thomas too need be at their very best that's what makes sport so unpredictable at times. The World Championships were introduced in 1983 and have been held every two yeas since. Ireland has won 4 gold and 2 silver medals the first gold in 1983 by Eamon Coghlan in the 5000 metres and the last one in 2013 by Robert Heffernan in the 50 km walk and of course Ireland has had an Olympic champion in the 400 metres hurdles the late Bob Tisdall who won the title in 1932. Of the Irish competing it would seem Thomas Barr, Mark English in the 800 metres and Robert Heffernan in the walk are our best prospects. Next week we will preview Kelly's event and note 12 noon in our time is 7 pm in Beijing time and so on.
Community Games National finals
On Saturday and Sunday next the National Community Games athletic finals are in Athlone and we wish all involved with the Waterford County team every success. the fixture gets under way both days at 9 am and full timetable is on Community Games Website
World bronze for Joe
In Lyon in France on Friday last Joe Gough West Waterford lined out in the final of the 1500 metres over 60 at the World Masters Track and Field Championships and came up once again with an outstanding performance in his second choice event at the Championships. On Wednesday last he had won his semi final thus qualifying for the final where he faced 15 other athletes from all over the World. With 200 metres to go he was in 8 th position but put in a storming finish to take the bronze medal in a time of 4 minutes 38.34 seconds,the race was won by Daniel Gonzales from Spain in 4.36.00 with Batista Medeiros Brazil second in 4.36.73. both one year younger than Joe. Having won the 800 metres title on Sunday week it was a marvellous championships for Joe adding the bronze medal in the 1500 metres His time in the 1500 metres easily beat the Irish record in this age group by 13 seconds.
Glaxosmithkline 5 Miles in Dungarvan
On Friday next August 21 st at 7 pm the last race in the Ger Wyley Sports Skins Series is in Dungarvan. Its the 16 th Annual Glaxosmithkline 5 miles and entries will be taken at the Dungarvan United Football Club Pavillion from 6 pm.
County Convention
Above is coming up on Friday September 11 th in St Augustine's College Abbeyside at pm. If any clubs have motions,nominations for Agenda please have them with co secretary John Behan by Saturday September 8 th.
Transfers
Clubs are reminded of the upcoming deadline for transfers which is September 1 st All signed forms must be with Co Secretary by August 24 th, next transfer date is then April 1 st 2016
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