Wragby athlete breaks British record

Athlete Jim Gillespie has claimed a British throws title and broken a national record.
Kieran and Jim Gillespie EMN-160627-122812002Kieran and Jim Gillespie EMN-160627-122812002
Kieran and Jim Gillespie EMN-160627-122812002

The Wragby athlete – who was representing Ireland – competed at the British Throws Decathlon in Derby.

Jim faced a long day of competition comprising 10 throwing events, four of which he had never done before.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the throws decathlon, points are awarded for how far each implement is thrown and the person with the most points takes the title.

For Jim, the event started well with a personal best in the hammer (25.02m), and the shot and javelin followed with solid enough performances.

Then came three unfamiliar events, the kugelshocken, grenade throw and slingshot.

“I placed well, and much to my surprise, scored more points than I thought I would,” Jim conceded.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The discus came with a good 25 metre throw, then another strange event, the heavy large stone throw, which went surprisingly well.”

The event was rounded off with the one-handed hammer and heavyweight hammer, two events Jim knows and scored well in.

He finished the competition on 3,553 points, enough for a British title and new Irish record.

Related topics: