After placing second in his heat in 10.34, Edward Osei-Nketia had to wait over an hour while the result of his 100m
final was protested. Jack Hale of Australia, who raced the 100m under protest, finished in first place but was later
disqualified. After Hale’s disqualification Edward was promoted from second to first with a time of 10.19. Next was
Australia’s Rohan Browning in 10.23 and Jake Doran in 10.47.Edward Osei Nketia / Photo Credit Alisha Lovrich
Dame Valerie Adams was second in the women’s shot put behind Canadian Sarah Mitton (18.84m) with a best throw of 18.73m.
Third was Canadian Brittany Crew with 18.51m. Dame Valerie said it was good to be challenged on home soil.
“It’s been great to have athletes of that level come down to New Zealand and help us out with our competition tonight.
After this I have nationals in Christchurch and then that’s the New Zealand season done. It’s awesome to come out here
and showcase what we can do.”Dame Valerie Adams / Photo Credit Alisha Lovrich
“This is only my third comp back and it’s been a very consistent competition. I would have hoped for more, the target
for us now is the 19m mark, but I’m very happy and so was coach with where we are at, at the moment.
Tom Walsh was first in the men’s shot put with a best throw of 21.66m, ahead of Ryan Ballantyne who threw a new personal
best for the second week running with a best effort of 19.71m. Third was Australian Damien Birkinhead with 19.69m.
Although Tom said it feels like he is moving in the right direction, he hasn’t quite found his groove at the moment.
“I think it’s just time. It’s a long time until the Olympic Games, but also I want to be throwing well now and I’m not,
because I know I could be if my timing’s on and my timing’s not quite on now, but it’s frustratingly close.”
With 700m to go, Nick Willis was in the lead in his 1500m race, unfamiliar territory for the veteran who said he is not
normally a front runner.
With a strong final lap and lunge for the finish line, Nick was able to hold on to first, crossing in 3:41.77 ahead of a
competitive Rorey Hunter of Australia in 3:41.81. Third was Luke Young in 3:43.44.
“Looking back in hindsight I think I will be really pleased as I watch this race,” said Nick. “Nine times out of ten he
would have passed me in that last 100m, but I managed to regather. I think that being on home soil and I know it sounds
cliché, but also being on TV, I’ve got to try and do this, defend home soil and thankfully he tired up as well and I
managed to out lean him, so it was a lot of fun.”
In the women’s 400m Hurdles, Portia Bing was a convincing first, crossing in 56.81 ahead of Australian Sara Klein in
57.76 and fellow Kiwi Mackenzie Jeffries in 59.60.
Many athletes will next compete at the Capital Classic in Wellington on Friday, and wrap up the season at the Jennian
Homes New Zealand Track & Field Champions in Christchurch from 06-08 March.