SPRINGBOK ATHLETES.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1922, Page 5

SPRINGBOK ATHLETES.

SPORTS MEETING TO DAY. CAREERS OF THE \ iSITORS. To-day’s sports meeting in honor of the visit of the South African athlete* to New Plymouth promises to provide some interesting events. The visitors are in good form and expect to put up some fast performances. The High school grounds, where the meeting takes place, are looking at their best, and the committee of the New Plymouth Amateur Athletic Club have arrangements for the meeting complete. The first race starts at 2 o’clock. One of the most interesting events of the day should be the 100 yards open (commencing at 2.10). which has drawn thirteen runners. The public will no dowbt attend in large numbers to see the Africans in action, and incidentally to back up the efforts of the New Plymouth Club in arranging the visit. The following particulate concerning the members ot the South African athletic team are interesting:— J. K. Ayres Oosterlaak was a member of the 1920 South African Olympic team, and also a member of the British Empire team against America. Be is the present hteder of tbe 100yds, 220yds, and 440yds Transvaal championships, and the 100yds South African championship. Since returning from the games. Oosterlaak has been credited with, and recorded with, 100yds in 9 4-ssecs. and >Myds. in 22secs. In Australia he only competed in Melbourne, winning tire 100yds in 10 1-lOsecs. In the 300yds. he was beaten by inches by Gale, whose time, 91 l*l9secs., was • State record. He injured his leg during training, but is now well again. J. W. Bukos was a member of tbe South African Olympic team, and is the South African 100yds. and 220yds. champta£ He lost his title last year to Oosterlaak, aaH ran second in both the 100yds. and 220ydb. championships. On several occasions . this year Bukes has clocked JOeecs for the lOOydb, and on one occasion did 9-4-ssocs., for wbidk be has been officially credited. Bakes aMb did 22secs. for the 220yds. H. P. Kinsman is the youngest member of the team, and is the “surprise" packet. H» was unknown a few months ago, but on hit first outing won the 100yds. Natal champion* ship, and capped this performance by winning the 220yds. South African championship in 22 l-ssecs., on a very dead and bad track. In Australia he ran second to Carr, in thb 100yds., in 9 9-10 secs., and third in the 224, which was also won by Carr, in 21%seca. Mick Terry, the Australian professional, is < opinion that Kinsman will be the finest sprinter South Africa hap yet produced. D. A. Leathern is th® present bolder ot the half and one-mlle Natal and South Afrl* can championships. He won the half-mile M Natal in lunin. 39 4-ssecs., and the mile 14 4in in. 47sees. {both on the same day), an* the half-mile in the South African ehSmteob* ships in 2mln. 2 3-ssecs., and mile in 4m*». 86secs. (the track was extremely bad and militated against fast times). He is from Ladysmith. In Australia he ran la the mile, but owing to a strain could not finish. Ho participated iu the relay race, which hta team won. Leathern is also a fine 609yds. ■■

runner, and will perform well over any distance from 600yds. to the mile. Leathern made a new Dominion record of Imin. 5T 4-4* secs, for the half-mile at Auckland last week. R. Johnston was beaten by one yard by Oosterlaak tn the recent Transvaal championships, when the phenomenal time of 44 1-K secs, was registered, and won the Mtyda. in 2min. 2secs. .Johnston recently ran the 840yds. in a shade outside 3J sec*., and will attempt any distances for record over the 304 to 600 yards. He ran third in Australia in th* quarter-mlle, and won the half-mile Transvaal championship. He will be the half-mile runner with Leathern. Johnston at Wellington, in his first appearance in New Zealand, 1 equalled the existing record of 50 2-ssecs., hut. owing to being placed secoryl in the latter event, his time will not be admitted to the record book. Mr. I. G. Emery, manager of the team, is a member of the Johannesburg Harriers, wto are proud of the fact that they have won 23 out of 24 relay races they entered for. ■* is also a member of the. Transvaal champion relay team. He is a versatile runner, and ready to compete In any race ranging in distance from 100yds. to ten miles. However, he will only run at the fixtures arranged If any member of the team under his ctarge becomes incapacitated. The visitors are of fine physique, as shown by the following particulars:

Age. H«t. Wfft. H. Kinsman 21 6.0 12.0 R. Johnston 24 5.10 . 10.7 J. K. Oosterlaak . 25 6.0 12.2 J. W. Bukes 2Tr tt.O 11.7 j D. Leathern 26 0.0 11.6. 1 I e. iBwrr s» «■« »M, 1