Using the OTE Tailwind javelin he won at
this summer’s UK Challenge ThrowsFest, Matti Mortimore
(Ipswich Harriers) broke the UK age best again at the Southern
Inter-Counties match at Barnet Copthall Stadium on Saturday 26 August.
And it was more significant than his
previous landmarks because his mighty throw of 63.68m took him past the
record for the original model of the javelin that used to fly further,
62.70m by Paul Godwin at Scunthorpe in 1989.
Mortimore’s progression has been
relentless since he opened his season at the Javelin Festival at Eton on
14 April with a throw of 58.31m. He threw 58.35m at the ThrowsFest at
Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, on 1 July and was named Most Promising
Male Thrower of the Meeting. After winning the English Schools title the
following weekend with 53.24m, he improved to 62.33m in winning the
England National title at Don Valley, Sheffield, on 11 August.
Mortimore’s delighted coach Nigel
Bevan reports: “Matti has a couple of more comps and has 65-68m on his
mind!”
And his proud mum Mrs Johanna
Mortimore says: “The favourite tool seems to be the OTE Tailwind given
to Matti by the sponsor in Birmingham. All the biggest throws have been
with that to date. Matti reckons he is starting to get the hang of it
now!”