8 Jul 2011

Gill wins world, youth title

6:10 am on 8 July 2011

The Auckland shot-putter Jacko Gill has won the World Youth Championship title in France with a throw of 24.35 metres beating his own World age group record by almost half a metre.

Despite having a sore finger on his throwing hand, he destroyed the competition, beating his closest opponent by 4 metres.

Such was his dominance, the worst of his six throws was still more than 1.6 metres better than the next best.

Three of his six attempts were further than is previous record.

Gill becomes the second New Zealander after Valerie Adams to win the World Youth and World Junior titles in the Shot put.