Two growing rivalries continue in the latest round of the summer athletics series in Auckland this weekend.
Eddie Osei-Nketia and Tiaan Whelpton Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Sir Graeme Douglas International meeting at Trusts Arena in Waitakere is another important outing in Olympic year with the event carrying World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze level status, which has the highest points on offer in the Oceania region.
Those athletes without guaranteed qualifying marks can still gain an Olympic entry through world rankings.
The respective match-ups between sprinters Eddie Osei-Nketia and Tiaan Whelpton, and shot put kings Tom Walsh and Jacko Gill, have been the biggest storylines this summer and each is set to go head-to-head again on Saturday.
In the male sprinting battles this season, Whelpton sprung an upset by prevailing over Osei-Nketia at the Potts Classic last month, while Osei-Nketia was back in the winner's circle at the Christchurch International Meeting over 200m and then again in the 100m at the Porritt Classic with a scorching 10.28 - his fastest ever legal 100m time in New Zealand.
Osei-Nketia then backed that up with another win at the Capital Classic last weekend, although Whelpton was not there to push his rival and friend to the limit.
They are both on fairly level pegging this year with Osei-Nketia's 10.28 just edging out Whelpton's season best of 10.30.
Whelpton last raced at the Douglas Track and Field in 2019 when he was third in the 100m in 10.63, behind Osei-Nketia and Hamish Gill, who both clocked 10.52.
"I'm excited to be racing at Waitakere again as it is a quick track and has a record of speedy times," Whelpton says.
"I was third two years ago and I'm looking forward to being back. My goal is to dip into the 10.20's which has been my life-time goal. But, being a Continental bronze meeting, there are a lot of points to be gained from the placings so I'll be just as happy with 10.30."
The other anticipated clash is in the field events where Walsh may be smarting from recent losses to Gill and will be fired up to make amends.
Jacko Gill Photo: Photosport
Walsh enjoys competing at the Trusts Arena, having won last year with 21.66m and, in 2018, setting a New Zealand all comers and residents record of 22.67m at the venue. Gill, with six straight victories in all his competitions this season, was third at the Sir Graeme Douglas meeting in 2019 with a throw of 20.76m.
Given favourable conditions, Hamish Kerr could meanwhile achieve the Olympic qualifying height of 2.33m in the high jump.
He set a New Zealand record of 2.31m in Wellington last weekend.
Lauren Bruce already has an Olympic qualifying standard in the hammer throw and Julia Ratcliffe will again challenge her.
Dame Valerie Adams will be hoping to continue her progression in the shot-put.
Zoe Hobbs, who improved on her 100m resident record to 11.35 in January, is closing in on the long-standing national record of 11.32, held by Michelle Seymour since 1993.
Olivia McTaggart has a best this season in the pole vault of 4.55m and will have her sights set on the Olympic qualifying height of 4.70m. She will again battle against her training partner after prevailing over Imogen Ayris on countback in Wellington last weekend.
Athletes are preparing for next weekend's national Championships in Hastings.
Entry to the meeting is free.
