Source: Radio New Zealand
Sprinter Tommy Te Puni is in the national record books. supplied
Sprinter Tommy Te Puni has etched his name in the national record books at the International Track Meet in Christchurch.
Te Puni eclipsed the national 200 metres record, running 20.35s, ahead of closest rival Lex Revell-Lewis.
The Auckland sprinter dips under Joseph Millar’s 2017 national mark of 20.37s.
Four men notched times under 21 seconds, with national 400 metres record holder Revell-Lewis clocking a personal best of 20.49s.
Zach Saunders followed him in 20.71s and Kadin Taylor notched 20.87s for fourth. The quartet now all rank within the top 12 all-time for New Zealand.
Tiaan Whelpton ran the fastest 100 metres race of his career, clocking a scintillating 10.01s time, but the wind was above the legal limit of +2.0m/s, with the wind reading +4.9m/s at the time of the race.
This performance comes after his 10.02s at the Cooks Classic in January and his equal resident record performance of 10.10s at the Sir Graeme Douglas International in Auckland two weeks ago.
Whelpton and Te Puni both now turn towards the New Zealand track and field championships in Auckland in a fortnight. The pair of record-breaking sprinters will chase national titles and, for Whelpton, the magic sub-10 second mark over the 100m.
Tom Walsh was well clear in the men’s shot put, throwing 20.83 for his best throw of the season.
Holly Robinson took the top spot in the women’s para shot put, scoring 85.48 percent of her world record, with Lisa Adams in second with 86.84 percent.
Will Little won the 3000 metres title, followed in by clubmates Cam Clark and Toby Tasker.
In the women’s race, Tillie Hollyer took out the national title ahead of Tamara Reeves in second and 18-year-old Brynne Gordon was third.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
