Athletics: HAMMER & GONGS; SPOTLIGHT ON ATHLETICS Now Myra bids for double title glory Young Athlete of the year.Byline: By Frank Haynes David Francis Haynes, usually known as Frank Haynes (8 March 1926 – 11 September 1998) was a British Labour politician. A former miner, Haynes became MP for Ashfield in 1979, regaining a seat that had been lost to the Conservatives in the 1977 by-election. MYRA PERKINS dreams of competing for Scotland at the 2014 Commonwealth Games Commonwealth games, series of amateur athletic meets held among citizens of countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. Originated (1930) as the British Empire games, the series is held every four years and is patterned after the Olympic games; women have participated in Glasgow. And with every passing training session, the Daily Record Young Athlete of the Year Athlete of the Year
For the past four seasons the hammer thrower from Avonbridge, Falkirk, has scooped national titles, smashed records and racked up a string of personal bests. And on January 31 the talented 16-year-old will be out to lift a trophy in front of a packed Kelvin Hall The Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Scotland, is a mixed-use arts and sports venue that opened as an exhibition centre in 1927. It has been a music hall, indoor arena and barrage balloon factory, and is currently home to Glasgow's Museum of Transport and the Kelvin Hall International when the Aviva International is held in Glasgow. Proud Perkins pulled on her first Scotland vest at the Commonwealth Youth Games The Commonwealth Youth Games are a mini version of the Commonwealth Games aimed at children and young people. The inaugural Commonwealth Youth Games was in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2000, and the second was in Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, in 2004. in Pune, India, last year. She finished agonisingly close to the medals in fourth and said:"I was disappointed with my performance but the experience was amazing. "To be able to say I have competed for my country at such a high level is so rewarding." The World Youth Championships in Italy in July are high on Perkins' agenda.She said:"My personal best of 52.02m is only a metre down on the qualification standard for the World Youth Championships so hopefully I will achieve the mark early in the season. I hope to be able to have a real impact on the UK under-20 scene this year. I won silver at the UK Championships last year so to continue this formor go one better would be fantastic." Perkins admitted her sights were set on 2014 and added: "Glasgow is absolutely a goal. "I will be 22 by then and hopefully will have had more experiences at major championships. "Of course, other athletes will emerge but you have to hope for a high-ranking place." Perkins is coached by top hammer thrower Allan Bertram, who also steered Lorraine Shaw to gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester. Bertram insists Perkins is a real talent. He said: "She has excellent physical ability. Having developed so well over the past few years and with youth on her side she has the potential required to grace world class podiums. "However, the hard work is only just starting. "As she gets older, Myra will face much more pressure on her time, especially if she enters university. "She will have to manage her time strictly and, of course, remain committed to a constructed training programme. "But if she continues to commit the time, effort and discipline we require of her, Scotland will have every chance of celebrating hammer success at Glasgow 2014 and beyond." To purchase tickets for the Aviva International at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall on January 31 visit www.athletics.net or phone 08000 55 60 56. CAPTION(S): BACK FOR MORE: Myra Perkins is chasing another Record title |
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