Some of Tonbridge Athletic Club’s standout track and field athletes have commenced their outdoor seasons and last weekend there were more positive performances that hopefully indicate a good Summer ahead.
On Saturday, Lewis Church (photo), the international decathlete, took part in the Loughborough Spring Throws meeting, competing in the Shot Putt and Discus. In the former he threw 13.97 metres which was a personal best by seven centimetres, whilst in the Discus his throw of 40.01 metres, was a little way short of his best, but was his first competitive throw for two years. His main target this year is to improve his Decathlon best score from 7513 points to the Commonwealth Games qualifying standard of 7750 and his first opportunity will be in the National Championships at the end of May.
The club’s top short sprinter currently, Anton Bachorski, had his first outdoor race of the year when he ran 10.80 for 100 metres at Worthing, on Sunday. His time was just 0.05 seconds away from his personal best and bodes well for making some more steps forward this year in the under 20 men’s age group, where he was ranked 13th in the UK last year.
Also at Worthing, Lily Stewart (under 17) won both her 600m and 300m heats with personal best times of 1.44.92 and 44.33, respectively. Ewan Wood (under 20) has started his season well, having suffered a long-term injury a year ago and ran pbs for 150m and 300m of 17.54 and 37.23.
Zac Beasty (under 20) and Joe Stone (under 15) opened up their seasons with 100 metres bests of 11.78 and 12.37, respectively, whilst also on Saturday, Beasty ran 150m in 17.80 and Stone 300m in 42.09.
At Eltham, on Saturday, Grazia Manzotti (over 50 age group) was the only Tonbridge competitor in action at the Track Walks meeting, where she recorded 16.44.38 for 3000m, taking more than half a minute from her previous best.