<13.07.07> - PEACOCK – A STAR IN THE MAKING
14 Jul 2007
PEACOCK – A STAR IN THE MAKING
Tasmanian javelin thrower, Hamish Peacock, has demonstrated his future star qualities with a silver medal winning performance in the IAAF World Youth (Under 18) Championships in Ostrava in the Czech Republic overnight (Thursday).
The TIS Scholarship holder from the Eastern Suburbs Club, produced his best when it counted to take the coveted second spot on the victory dais behind world number one - Tuomas Laaksonen of Finland.
Top qualifier, Kirril Kadukov of Russia failed to cope with the heat of the final and was eliminated after three throws. Peacock, on the other hand, after an ordinary first round, produced a quality 74.08m attempt to put himself in the silver position, which he then strongly defended.
The Tasmanian improved further in round five, throwing a new personal best (and Tasmanian youth record) of 76.31m. His final trial of 75.06m also exceeded his previous best.
Athletics Tasmania President Brian Roe was full of praise for the 16 year old,
“This is a superb result for Hamish and a great outcome for athletics in Tasmania.
“Producing your best ever throw when it really counts is the sign of an athlete with real potential to succeed into the future.
“The World Youth Championships is the first chance many athletes get to show whether they have the mettle to tough it out in the big events. And he has done just that. To be beaten only by a Finn, a boy from the country regarded as the home of javelin throwing, is another feather in Hamish’s cap”.
Roe also praised the contribution to the success of Peacock’s coach – his father Evan, and TIS State Track and Field Performance Co-ordinator, Peter Fortune,
“Evan has grown with Hamish, and is rapidly becoming a very astute coach. And he has been very willing to take advantage of the excellent support devised and provided by Fort and the TIS to aid the progress of Hamish and our exciting group of young throwers in Tasmania.”
Australia’s other entrant in the javelin, Victorian Luke Bissett finished fourth to complete an excellent result in the event for the Aussies.
Launceston – 13 July 2007
Further information: Brian Roe 0438 604 571
