Belgrave hosts club throwing champs and invitational match
Belgrave throwers hosted the Belgrave Throwing Champs 2021 & Invitational Match on the morning of Sunday 26th September.
Back row l-r: Reuben Vaughan, Abi Ekoku, Tom Ikeda, Nick Barton, David Hinds, Bob Bridges, Matt Coombs, Chris Privett, Emily Callaghan, Hon Yip. Kneeling l-r: Janet Smith, Frida Engstrom, Mia Callenberg, Liz Sissons, John Hall.
The weather was perfect and the Belgravian throwers and invited guests - from seniors to very senior veterans - all enjoyed the event. Our own Belgrave officials John Hall and Hon Yip executed this UKA licensed event perfectly. Duration and numbers were limited as the infield was otherwise engaged from 1pm which meant we only had three hours to complete four throwing events with 9-10 competitors in each. A lot of pre-work was done by volunteers and the event ran smoothly and we finished on time. Special thanks goes to two of our volunteer helpers, Pierpaolo and Liam. Liam reported he completed 13,000 steps with one of our throwers reporting only 4,000 steps - so it looks like our helpers worked harder than the throwers.
Guests Nick Barton and Liz Sissons achieved PBs and several others had seasons best distances. It was great to see Belgravian Abi Ekoku return to Vets throwing as he has a lot to offer all of us. Reuben Vaughan (Croydon Harriers guest) has immense potential and we will see more of him next year. Reuben comes training with Belgrave regularly and is a one of those characters you enjoy having around. Matt Coombes has recently joined us from Andover. This was his first competition in a Belgrave top and gave Tom Ikeda (Belgrave) a good competition. Our Guests are people we train with or compete with and they have an affinity with Belgrave as we supply the throwing coaches for some of them.
David Hinds (Serpentine) combines running and throwing and is determined to improve with our help. Emily Callaghan (Herne Hill) has recently started throwing the heavier javelin; her strength is steadily increasing and her improved distances next season weill be the fault of the Belgrave coaches! Janet Smith hails from Windsor & Eton and is one of the best Veteran throwers in England. Sprints coach Bob Bridges only took up Hammer throwing seriously a couple of years ago and despite the lockdowns has steadily improved and is becoming a good consistent thrower and currently lies at number 6 in the UK. Chris Privett had a good Hammer and Discus throw with the hammer being a SB projecting him to the number 2 vets spot in the UK.
Our two Belgrave Swedes Frida Engstrom and Mia Callenberg thoroughly enjoyed the day and the pub lunch afterwards. Mia & Liam flew to the USA two days after the competition to work in Washington for a few years. Mia is definitely planning to come to a Belgrave pre-season training camp if we do go to Portugal in early March April 2022 - but will be missed by all of us, not only as our most impactful thrower but also her cheerful and humour-filled personality.
All the results are now on Power of 10.
Report by Chris Privett