Perth school pupil’s championship gold
Ben shines in shot put event at Emirates Arena
Perth’s Ben Wightman is proving he has the ability to go the distance in the world of sport.
The 15-year-old recently returned to the Fair City with shot put gold following an impressive display at the Under 17s National Indoor Championships.
Ben, a Perth High School pupil, launched a winning throw of 14 metres and 27 centimetres to smash his previous personal best and comfortably lift the title at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.
Proud mum Susan said: “He was pleased with his performance at the Under 17s National Indoor Championships at the Emirates Arena, Glasgow. He trained beforehand with his club, Perth Strathtay Harriers.
“His personal best before the event was 13m 43cm, which he achieved competing for Scotland at SIAB International event in Kent in July 2016.
“He also competed at Scottish Schools Indoor Athletics Championships this week for Perth High, competing in the 200m, 60m and shot put.
“He gained a personal best in one of his running events, and won a gold medal for shot put in the over 16 boys, achieving another new personal best of 14m 93cm.
“Ben got involved in throwing shot by being encouraged by his team manager, Gail Greenwood, and sprint coach Alan Erickson.
“He hopes to represent Scotland for Scottish Athletics, and SSAA, and train toward selection for Scotland to compete at the Commonwealth Youth Games.”
Ben’s talent spreads much further than the shot put and he currently trains with the Scottish Rugby Union academy while playing for Perthshire’s Under 16 squad as a forward.
He is also an important member of Perth Strathtay Harriers with Susan adding: “Ben has been a member of Perth Strathtay Harriers since 2013.
“That was when he started competing in the athletics regional league, national/ international and Scottish Schools Athletics Association league events.
“He is a multi-eventer, competing in pentathlons. His best event is the shot put. Ben has a number of medals acquired over the years and is current Harriers male U17 champion.” Under-17 Scottish National shot put champ Ben Wightman