Three Youngsters To Watch

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 19

Three Youngsters To Watch

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. Auckland’s 17-year-old high jumper, Perry Cunningham, could clear 7ft within two years, according to the head Russian athletic coach, Mr Gabriel Korobkov.

Cunningham has been jumping consistently between 6ft 2in and 6ft 3in this season and over the Christmas period he attended the national coaching school at Trentham. Cunningham was coached by Mr Korobkov at Trentham and his technique was altered slightly to conform with the Russian style.

After the coaching school, Mr Korobkov said that Cunningham should clear 6ft 6in before the 1965-66 season is over and could go on to clear 7ft next season. Another young athlete who greatly impressed Mr Korobkov at the coaching school was Penny Howarth, aged 17, of Wellington. In the standing high jump test she leaped 341 in. Explosive Quality Mr Korobkov could hardly believe that Miss Howarth achieved this result. In six efforts she averaged close to her best of 341 in. “I have never seen a woman athlete even approach this result,” said Mr Korobkov.

“Robert Shavlakadze, who won the Olympic high jump

title in 1960 had a best result of 34lin, the same as Miss Howarth.

“The test was designed to show the explosive qualities that an athlete possesses and their strength, speed and coordination,” he said. Speed for Age The Russians were surprised to learn that Brenda Matthews was only 18. She beat the world hurdles record-holder, Irena Press, twice in 100 yards races in the first two meetings of the tour.

Mr Korobkov said that Miss Matthews was a great prospect for the Mexico City Olympics. “She has excellent speed for her age, can hurdle very well and could long jump over 20ft with three months’ work,” he said.