Layton leaps past the injury barrier

Nelson Mail

TOUGH: Layton Winitana.

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If they were handing out prizes for toughness at Wednesday's Tasman secondary school athletics championships in Blenheim, Layton Winitana would surely claim the top spot.

They don't, so the Motueka High School student will have to satisfy himself with the under-19 boys' triple jump title instead.

After dislocating his shoulder for the sixth time playing touch last Friday, he wasn't even supposed to be on the bus to the meet, athletics coach Tony Aikenhead said.

However, Layton was determined not to let his relay team-mates down, as there was no reserve, and to be there to support a younger jumper, so he insisted on not being left behind.

After having his shoulder taped up, he decided to give his favoured event, the triple jump, a shot.

First, he had to get past the person taking registrations, who was incredulous that Layton would even consider competing, then proceeded to tell him that there was no point, as he wouldn't win anyway.

"I was, like, `Why would you even say that?'."

Not being able to fully use his hands, he wasn't able to give his four jumps everything, but still managed to clean up the competition with a distance of 11.84 metres, dislocated shoulder and all.

"I was, like, `What's up now, Miss?'," he laughed.

"I was going to try and jump but I wasn't expecting to win with a sore shoulder."

He returned to the track later in the meet to run in the senior relay, doing the baton change with his injured arm.

Layton played down his determination – "It's all fun and games" – but Aikenhead said he was determined not to pull out on his team-mates.

Aikenhead said he put emphasis on the relay, as it was the one truly team event in athletics.

Layton's previous dislocations were the result of rugby, and he is going under the knife later this year, meaning he will miss the upcoming season.

- © Fairfax NZ News