Kiwi experience gives Conor flying 2019 start
ATHLETICS: While many people are still coming to grips with getting their new year rolling, Toowoomba’s Conor McLoughlin has made a flying start to his.
The national under 20 discus champion and Australian rep has launched a personal best effort in front of some of the world’s elite throwers at a New Zealand competition.
McLoughlin threw a 2.5metre PB of 54.02 metres with a 2kg disc while attending an Australian and New Zealand elite emerging throws camp and competition.
The 2018 IAAF World Under 20 Championships competitor attended the training camp at the high performance indoor Apollo Projects Centre and Nah Puna Wai Stadium.
Other international stars attending the camp included world shot put champion Tom Walsh, Australian shot record holder Damien Birkinhead and Jacko Gill who is the world junior shot record holder.
McLoughlin’s Toowoomba coach Grahame Pitt said the morale-boosting PB provided the 19-year-old with the perfect platform for a long-range plan aimed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
“It was a good result for Conor after his previous camp in Canberra and he has taken so much from the opportunity to train with some of the world’s best,” Pitt said.
“I think it’s helped Conor realise that he too is an elite athlete.
“He was quite stoked by the experience and really motivated by it.
“It’s also a good start to a long-range plan we have mapped out as Conor looks to work his way back after a couple of years battling injuries.
“Our focus now are the state and national titles while the big goal is to make the World Uni Games team. Ultimately Conor’s aim is the 2022 Commonwealth Games.”