BETTER THAN THE OLYMPICS:
WHY KIWIS WILL LOVE THE GOLD COAST GAMES
The Commonwealth Games starts on the Gold Coast on April 4 with a host of Kiwi athletes set to star across the Tasman. Ian Anderson will be covering the Games and keeping a close eye on the following ive events.
Men’s shot put inal, Monday, April 9, Carrara Stadium, 10.25pm NZ time:
Olympic bronze medalist and world indoor champion Tom Walsh should win gold - and by some distance. The added interest will come from how far he can throw. Walsh recorded the ninth-best put in history of 22.67m last weekend and believes he can break the world record of 23.12 set by Randy Barnes in 1990. The American was banned for 27 months soon after for anabolic steroid usage and was given a lifetime ban in 1998. “I just know I’ve got more up my sleeve still,” Walsh said after setting the new national record.
Silver Ferns v England, Wednesday April 11, Gold Coast, 11.02am:
Whether New Zealand are a genuine chance at a gold medal should become clear in this Pool B match. That’s a lot earlier than what most fans would have expected until recently, but the two losses to Jamaica in the Taini Jamieson exposed far greater faults with the Ferns than seen in the previous year. If they lose to England, a semi inal against the hosts looms three days later, in which they’d be signi icant underdogs to shoot for gold.
Men’s cycling individual time trial, Tuesday, April 10, Currumbin Beachfront, midday:
Hamish Bond has never won a Commonwealth Games medal - they haven’t had rowing at the Games since 1986. At the Gold Coast, the dual Olympic gold medalist will try and add a notable achievement to his sporting legacy. The 32-year-old has shown plenty of ability since switching to the bike after Rio and warmed up for the Games by winning the elite men’s time trial at the Oceania road cycling champs in Tasmania. A medal will be in his sights,
Women’s pole vault inal, Friday, April 13, Carrara Stadium, 9.25pm:
Eliza McCartney will aim to propel herself up and over to gold on what could be a memorable night for the Kiwi athletes. The Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist is in good form, clearing an unofficial Personal Best of 4.90m in an exhibition event last month and was agonisingly close to setting an official PB of 4.85m in Auckland last weekend. She’ll face challenges from England’s Holly Bradshaw, Canadians Alysha Newman and Anicka Newell and Aussies Nina Kennedy and Lisa Campbell.
Women’s shot put inal, Friday, April 13, Carrara Stadium, 10.40pm:
Maybe it’s asking too much for Dame Valerie Adams to win gold here. The two-time Olympic champ gave birth to her irst child in October and is well short of her career-best form as expected with a limited build-up to the Games. In her last warm-up event, she threw consistently over 18 metres but that’s not likely to be enough to beat Danniel Thomas-Dodd of Jamaica, who threw 19.22m to win silver at the world indoor champs in Birmingham this year. “I know what my limits are. I’m also a realist - but I know every time I go out there I’m very competitive,” Adams says.