Southern athletes shine in golden return

Southland athletes excelled at the New Zealand Masters Games track and field events in Dunedin over the weekend, with a plethora of gold medals.

Octogenarian Alistair MacKay broke the New Zealand record for the long jump in his age-group with a 2.88m leap to claim gold in the 80-84 age group.

The 82-year-old then backed that up with further first placings in the 800m, triple jump and high jump to go with a gold in the aerobics competition during the weekend.

Mark Flaus, 50, and Lester Laughton, 58, were also in dominant form, with Flaus picking up golds in the 50-54 age group shot put, javelin, hammer throw, weight throw and discus.

Not to be outdone, Laughton won gold in the 55-59 years shot put, javelin, weight throw and discus, as well as a bronze medal in the hammer throw.

Margarette Sutton, of Invercargill, was one of the leading women performers, with the sprightly 77-year-old grabbing gold in all of her track events.

Sutton won gold in the 100m in 22.08sec and then completed her collection with further first-place efforts in the 200, 400, 800 and 1500m events.

The other standout female showing came from 67-year-old Glenyss Jones in the 65-69 age group. Jones won gold medals in the 100m and 400m races, to go along with a gold in the high jump.

Barry Sommerville, 42, continued the dream weekend for Southlanders with gold in the 40-44 years javelin. He also picked up a bronze in the long jump.

Gold medals also went to Mike Piper in the 60-64 3000m race walk and Brian Toomey in the 70-74 triple jump.

Toomey added to his collection with bronze medals in the high jump and 100m sprint.

Veteran Southland runner Ricky Gutsell won silver in the 1500 and 3000m events in his 45-49 age group, while Wendy Boniface won bronze in the 50-54-year-olds javelin with a 14.58m throw.

Southland's success was not just extended to athletics with the region's doubles euchre team of Elaine Nepia and Bob Lindquist picking up gold. It was the first time euchre has been part of the Masters Games.

The Masters Games continue through to Sunday with 71 sports being contested.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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