SCHOONER OR LATER
Sally Pearson’s pint-sized rival reveals Games beer pledge
ANDREA Hams is still hoping for that beer with Sally Pearson.
Eight years on from their domination of the 100m hurdles at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, Hams (bronze) – then known as Andrea Miller – and Pearson (gold) will arrive at this year’s event having traversed vastly different paths.
While Pearson will again be among the gold favourites at the Games, New Zealander Hams will fight to add a weightlifting medal to her track silverware.
Based on the Coast for the past nine years, the 36-year-old took up weightlifting five years ago after ongoing back injuries forced her athletics retirement.
Success could finally bring her and Pearson together for the beer that never eventuated in Delhi.
“I moved (to Australia) originally for athletics. I decided it would be best if we worked together,” Hams, a physiotherapy lecturer at Griffith University, said of linking with Pearson.
“So we did and shortly after, that’s when I won my medal. You can’t train that closely with someone and live in each other’s pockets (without staying in touch) so she and I still have a running joke.
“After the hurdles in 2010 we’d had this grand plan that we would sit down and have a beer together and that was what we wanted to do to celebrate. (But then) she got called up for the relay and wasn’t supposed to be, so eight years later we’re still texting and joking about the fact that once her and I finish this time, it’s happening.”
With a personal best snatch of 105kg, and clean and jerk of 112kg, Hams shapes as a genuine medal prospect in the women’s 69kg category at the Games.
It has been a radical switch from hurdling but one she believes she has finally begun to conquer. Weightlifting at the Games will run from April 5-9.
SALLY Pearson will devote the week to training after pulling out of the athletics meet in Brisbane tomorrow night.
The Gold Coast champion had entered the 100m and the 100m hurdles, both of which have drawn international entries, at Nathan’s State Athletics Facility.
Pearson had planned to compete at Nathan and also the last meet before the Commonwealth Games at Nathan next Wednesday night.
Pearson and three-time Paralympic gold medallist Kurt Fearnley were yesterday named co-captains of the 109member athletics team.
Fearnley will compete in the T54 1500m and wheelchair marathon at the Games.
“I’m looking forward to using my experience ... to lead and mentor our young Australian athletes,” Pearson said.
Head coach Craig Hilliard said the 100m men’s and women’s relay quartets for tomorrow had not been decided.