08.12.2009

Stevenson an early shot at Delhi

Victorian Dale Stevenson has catapulted his name amongst Australia’s best throwers and in the process registered a Commonwealth Games A-qualifying performance, striking career best form with the shot put on Sunday.
 
With a best throw of 19.66m, nearly a one-metre improvement on his previous best (18.67m) set in September, the 21-year-old Frankston Athletics Club thrower jumped to third on Australia’s all-time list, surpassing former national record-holder and six-time national shot put champion John Minns. In a career best set of throws, Stevenson bettered the A-qualifying standard of 19.00m with two of his other five attempts.
 
With his eyes fixed on a senior national team debut at the Commonwealth Games, Stevenson had made a concerted effort to match the A-standard early.
 
“I targeted the weekend’s AV Throwers Meet and also the Zatopek:10, as events to peak for to try and notch up that Commonwealth Games A-qualifiying mark,” said Stevenson, who will look to continue his career his career best form at the Zatopek:10, this Thursday evening at Melbourne Olympic Park.
 
“It’s a great luxury to have the A-qualifier now, as it means I can go out at Zatopek this Thursday and really test myself. That 20m-mark isn’t far away,” said Stevenson, who will start favourite in the men’s shot put event this Thursday, following the withdrawal of Scott Martin (VIC) to injury.
 
Improving his personal best by nearly two metres in the past 12 months, Stevenson is still pinching himself after leaping into the upper echelons of Australia’s throwing ranks.
 
“John Minns is a legend of Australian throwing, and Justin (Anlezark) and Scott (Martin) are the super elites in this country. There’s a little gap between where they’re at and me at the moment, but it’s a level that I’m working towards.”

Reaching a crossroads in his athletics career at the start of 2009, Stevenson made the switch to coach Gus Puopolo, joining a squad of elite throwers including shot put national record-holder Scott Martin.
 
“I rolled the dice (at the start of the year), and put all my eggs in one basket with my training and throwing, but it has really paid dividends. I certainly have the belief that I can compete at an international level, and there’s really no limits to what I can achieve,” Stevenson said.
 
“The experience that Gus (Puopolo) brings to the sport, teamed with Scott’s knowledge of competing and training at the top level, they have combined to give me a great base to work from, and together we’re really making things happen.”
 
Making his national team debut at the World University Games in Belgrade this year, placing 15th in the discus and 21st in the shot put, Stevenson’s story has been one of persistence and patience.
 
“I’d never made a team as a junior athlete. I wasn’t quite at the right standard at that age. Now it appears this was almost a blessing in disguise.”
 
Earning selection to the Australian team for the Great North City Games in September, Stevenson placed second in the men’s shot put behind his training partner Martin.
 
Targeting a strong performance at the national championships and selection trials in April to guarantee Commonwealth Games selection, Stevenson believes he has the ability to match it with the best.
 
“If I can get selected and throw 20m at the Commonwealth Games - which is possible given it is still 10 months away – who knows where I could finish up. The gold medallist in 2006 won with 19.76m.”
 
One of Australia’s premier track and field meets, the Zatopek:10, returns to Olympic Park this Thursday (December 10) with women’s discus world champion Dani Samuels (NSW – discus), 2008 world indoor champion Tamsyn Lewis (VIC – 400m hurdles), Australian record holders Collis Birmingham (VIC – 10,000m) and Benita Willis (VIC -10,000m), 2009 Great Australian Run  women’s champion Nikki Chapple (VIC – 10,000m), Berlin world championship representatives Lisa Weightman (VIC – 10,000m), David McNeill (VIC – 10,000m), Jeremy Roff (NSW - 1500m), Ryan Gregson (NSW – U20 3000m), Youcef Abdi (NSW - 3000m steeplechase) and Alwyn Jones (VIC – triple jump), and Beijing Olympian Lachlan Renshaw (NSW – 1500m) all taking to the track.