Cardiff's 400m hurdler Rhys Williams has been included in the Great Britain team for the IAAF World Championships taking place in Berlin from 15th to 23 August, UK Athletics has announced today. Rhys joins Swansea's David Greene in the 400m hurdles.
This selection is a just reward for Rhys's determination to come back after missing two seasons through injury. He was the bronze medallist in the European Championships in Gothenburg in 2006.
On another typical athletics day in Cardiff (continual rain), Cardiff's National Junior League team, already weakened by illnesses, managed only 7th place in the fourth and final match of the year yesterday, Sunday 26 July. A number of good performances could not overcome gaps in the team; which will be competing next year in a regional division of this league.
Cardiff's Simon Lawson crowned a fabulous season by taking the silver medal in the European Junior Championships in Novi Sad, Serbia earlier today. His time of 30.35.62 was outside his best but this is not significant in such an important race.
The winner was Hayle Ibrahimov (Azerbaijan) and fellow Welshman Dewi Griffiths was fourth.
Simon's was the first British medal in these Championships. He is also entered in the 5000m on Sunday provided he has recovered sufficiently from the 10,000m
Cardiff’s Senior Men and Women were out on Saturday last, 18th July, competing in the BAL Golden Jubilee Cup at Yate. Supported by mums, dads, officials and club members the men finished first, ahead of Exeter Harriers with Team Southampton third. The women’s team produced a solid performance to finish fourth.
James Williams, the men’s team manager said “the athletes have done really well to finish with a 12 point lead over Exeter. In this competition, where only ten events are contested, every point counts.”
Former World 400m finalist Tim Benjamin has announced his retirement with immediate effect. The 27 year old Cardiff athlete who also won World youth gold and European junior gold has called time on his career due to a succession of injuries.
He said: “The injuries and illnesses I have endured over the last four years have been well documented, with my absence from last summer's Olympic Games representing the pinnacle of disappointment and frustration.
“Although this decision may seem sudden, it is the culmination of incessant setbacks. I have already talked about how my 2008 disappointment almost caused me to leave the sport, but I was determined to end my career on my own terms when the time arrived.
In a triumphant end to its season the Young Athletes' League team easily won the fifth and final round of the series at Swindon yesterday, Sunday 19th July. Cardiff won with 460 points with Newport second, Swindon third and Hereford & County fourth. With a maximum 20 league points, Cardiff gain automatic promotion to the Midland Premier Division along with rivals Halesowen.
Over the next weekend, three of the club teams will be competing in key competitions. The Young Athletes' League team will travel to Swindon on Sunday for the fifth and final round of the season; which will be the promotion decider. The senior men's and women's teams travel to London, bidding for a place in the BAL Golden Jubilee Cup for the first time. Success is on the horizon.
A great weekend flashed by for six Cardiff Amateur Athletic Club members when we attended the AVIVA National Trials in Birmingham 10th - 12th July. Every Welsh athlete and in particular the Cardiff AAC athletes were supported with cheers and we were not let down as two of our very own Cardiff athletes came home with medals; Bryony Raine took the bronze medal in the pole vault with a PB of 4.05m and Rhys Williams the silver medal in the 400m hurdles behind another Welshman David Greene (Swansea). This race was voted by us the ‘Athletics Highlight’ of the weekend.
In blustery conditions, with occasional rain, the Welsh under 13 and under 15 championships were held yesterday at Cardiff International Sports Stadium. Cardiff athletes took their fair share of medals but, overall, the turnout of club athletes was smaller than expected. Gold medals were achieved by Kate Seary,Ffion Bodilly, Sally Nicholas and Ben Pearse.
Long standing club member Kay James has been presented with Welsh Athletics’ Award of Honour for her services to athletics in Wales.
During the past ten years (and more), she has, at various times, been secretary of both her club and the South Wales Region. Additionally, she has been the club’s long standing track and field secretary and event organiser. For the past three years, a period during which the Region did not have a secretary she was effectively the minutes secretary.
Because she has been around for so many years and both knows and is known by the vast majority of officials in the southern half of Wales, she has been a key person whenever the Region or the club has organised competition, whether track and field or cross country. Put simply, she has been the one to find sufficient numbers of officials.