BRILLIANT ATHLETE

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 145, 13 February 1939, Page 4

BRILLIANT ATHLETE

MISS DECIMA NORMAN * jf IX NEED OF A REST Dceima' Norman, the brilliant Australian girl athlete, who has been invited to tour New Zealand this year, is. determined,, after two years of constant sporting activities, to enjoy a good rest this winter. She made this declaration on her arrival from Perth recently to take up her residence in Sydney. -Miss N orman} competed in the New South Wales State championships on tin 1 Sports Ground in Sydney recently when shot won the 90yds. women's hurdles in 12 1-10 see., an Australian record : and came second in the women’s 100yds. to Miss Joyce Walker, New South Wales. Miss Norman looked tired.after her long trio from Perth, and did not fleny it. ‘•Pve* had nearly as much strenuous competition as 1. need for a while,” she declared. “During the winter I'm not going to play anything—except, perhaps, a little tennis and golf. Hockey is definitely out. In three years at'*the game I’ve broken a collarbone and two fingers.” Busy Time First. Hut before she can rest Miss Norman must face a- strenuous athletics

campaign, on which will depend to some extent her selection for the 1940 Olympic Gaines in Finland. “With hotter tracks andi keener competitions here than in the west, l hope to improve on past performances,” she said. “I will coaicentrate on the 100 and 220 yards and broad jump, though 1' may do a little 'hurdling.” Miss Norman, who is aged 20 ycar§, stands oft. 3in. and weights 7.10. At the Em-pire Games in Sydney last year she won the 100yds. in 111-10 sec., 220yds. in 241-sec., and broad jump with 19ft. 01 in.—all Empire records.