Speedy Whelpton closing in on national 100m record

In-form New Zealand sprinter Tiaan Whelpton has achieved a personal best in the 100m at the Sir Graeme Douglas International meet in Auckland with a time of 10.10 seconds, just outside the national record.

Whelpton, who smashed the national record in the 60m in Australia recently with a time of 6.50secs (previously 6.59secs), was just shy of the national 100m record of 10.08secs held by Eddie Nketia.

Whelpton’s previous best in the 100m was 10.14secs. Nketia’s father, Gus, has now been consigned to the third best time held by a New Zealander over the distance, with 10.11.

Afterwards, Whelpton, 24, who also set a meet record, said there was still room for improvement. He has made no secret of his desire to break the 10-second barrier.

Australian Bree Masters, an Olympic semifinalist, equalled her personal best in the women’s 100m with 11.23secs, a time she also achieved in the same meeting two years ago.

Perhaps the biggest excitement at the meeting at Trust's Stadium in Waitakere, though, was the second place by 15-year-old Sam Ruthe in the men's senior 1500m.

Ruthe clocked 3.41.25 in running second to Japanese competitor Ryoji Tatezawa, smashing his previous best of 3.46.41. His time easily beat the under-17 and under-20 national records.

Ruthe, who was fourth on the final bend and overtook two rivals on the straight, recently won the New Zealand senior 3000m title and also recently clocked a 4:01.72 mile.

Meanwhile, Jacko Gill has beaten Kiwi rival Tom Walsh in the shotput.

Walsh, in his first competition since tearing an adductor at the Paris Olympics, threw 20.86m, but Gill had his measure, achieving 21.40m with his fourth throw and then throwing 21.85m in the sixth and final round for a significant victory.