Shot Putting Machine

Auckland 16-year-old Jacko Gill has smashed his own world youth shot put record by nearly half a metre with a throw of 24.35m at the world youth championships in Lille. Gill had three throws that went beyond 24m. He was so dominant that even his weakest throw in the final at 21.99 was still better than the 2.35 by American Tyler Schultz for silver. “The crowd was great and they really helped me, they were on their feet for my last throw,” Gill said. Gill is the first athlete to breach the 24m distance with a 5kg shot in official competition. “I want to break the junior world record again and I’ve got a few other goals,” he said. “I just want to train up for London and I really want to get a medal in London.”