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Guill ermo May (left) was the opening scorer for Auckland FC as they beat Western United in the A-League PHOTO: A-LEAGUE Auckland FC will finish yet another weekend at the top of the A-League table after a 2-0 win against Western United at Ironbark Fields on Saturday night. When the two sides played just prior to Christmas it was United who were 4-0 winners. The result was never going to be the same on this occasion. LATEST HEADLINES: Chiefs, McKenzie too strong for Blues Crusaders win: Highlanders late loss Ellesse Andrews sets world record Hendry double-digit Charles Tour wins Van Gisbergen to start 26th at Daytona A remarkable long-range goal from Uruguayan forward Guillermo May put Auckland ahead late in the first half. It was just three minutes later,that Max Mata made it 2-0 right on the half-time whistle.. The three-minute blitz proved pivotal in a tight battle between Auckland and Western as the visitors saw out the second half without conceding a goal to claim three points in an entertaining contest in Tarneit. Western started the second half with purpose after John Aloisi brought Matthew Grimaldi off his bench, the creative midfielder looked to inspire the comeback with a reverse pass into the box that sent Rhys Bozinovski into space for a one-on-one with Paulsen. A deficit-halving goal looked certain to come off Bozinovski’s boot but Paulsen produced a stellar save to keep his side two-goals ahead.

Damian McKenzie (right) high fives Leroy Carter as the Chiefs beat the Blues in Super Rugby PHOTO: CRAIG BUTLAND/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie scored twice in the second half and finished with 20 points as the Chiefs beat the Blues 25-14 in round one of Super Rugby Pacific. The visitors fought back from an eight-point deficit in wet conditions at Eden Park after the Blues won the final 41-10 at the same venue eight months ago. LATEST HEADLINES: Crusaders win: Highlanders late loss Ellesse Andrews sets world record Hendry double-digit Charles Tour wins Van Gisbergen to start 26th at Daytona Phoenix continue struggles in Melbourne The home side looked ready to repeat that outcome after tries by Dalton Papali'i and AJ Lam put them 14-6 clear at halftime. However, they paid for their indiscipline in the second spell, with the Chiefs hitting the front in the final quarter after Josh Fusitua was shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle. Debut winger and former All Blacks Sevens start Leroy Carter put the visitors ahead before fullback McKenzie slid over to make the outcome safe, using his pace to outstrip the defence for a second time. McKenzie, who also landed two penalties and two conversions, had the better of his Blues opposite Beauden Barrett. Both started at fullback despite having shared the flyhalf jersey through all of the All Blacks' 14 Tests last year. They are expected to contest that role again in 2025. Meanwhile Western Force playmaker Ben Donaldson has scored a miracle try and kicked the conversion to steal a 45-44 win from Moana Pasifika in a point-scoring bonanza in Perth. Chiefs 25 (Damian McKenzie 2, Leroy Carter tries; Cons: McKenzie 2 pen, 2 con) def Blues 14 (Dalton Papali'i, AJ Lam tries; Beauden Barrett 2 con)

Kyle Preston was a breath of fresh air for the Crusaders scoring three tries in the win over the Hurricanes PHOTO: SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC Former Wallabies star James O'Connor and debutant halfback Kyle Preston have already made an impact with the Crusaders. The pair put in impressive performances off the bench to help the Crusaders to a 33-25 season-opening Super Rugby Pacific win over the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Friday night. LATEST HEADLINES: Ellesse Andrews sets world record Hendry double-digit Charles Tour wins Van Gisbergen to start 26th at Daytona Phoenix continue struggles in Melbourne Black Caps too good for Pakistan again Wellington No 9 Preston scoring a hat-trick against his own provincial franchise as he stepped into the game after 10 minutes and excelled for the Crusaders, following play, creating it and being rewarded. He also had a try disallowed. Although they won, the home side will need to tighten up discipline with a yellow card given to All Blacks captain Scott Barrett in the fourth minute of play. For the Canes, there was danger when Kini Naholo had the ball but in reality it was a game they should have held onto after leading 14-0 and then 22-14 at halftime. In a rare start, Caleb Devery crossed for a couple of tries and showed plenty of energy in both attack and defence. Meanwhile, the Highlanders will rue the match that got away from them in their clash with the Waratahs in Sydney. The home side won 37-36 as replacement prop Siosifa Amone charged over and replacement Jack Bowen converted for the win after eight lead changes in the second half. Star recruit Joseph Suaalii did exactly what was expected for the Tahs. He starred, particularly in the air and will be have to marked hard in future, albeit for one error which led to an opposition try, Equally potent was Highlanders backline player Caleb Tangitau who opened the scoring and nabbed a second as well. TimoTavatavanawai was controlled and effective in the midfield Tangitau was yellow-carded in the 40th minute for not releasing, while Mitch Dunshea was also given 10 minutes in the sin bin to close out the first half , which did not help the side, but otherwise the forwards tackled like demons. Crusaders 33 (Kyle Preston 3, Callum Grace, Sevu Reece tries; Taha Kemara 3 con, James O'Connor con) Hurricanes 25 (Caleb Devery 2, Kini Naholo tries; Harry Godfrey 2 con, pen, Callum Harkin pen) NSW Waratahs 37 (Siosifa Amone 2, Leota, Porecki, Max Jorgensen tries; Tane Edmed 2 con, pen, Jack Bowen con) Highlanders 36 (Caleb Tangitau 2, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Veveni Lasaqa, Sefo Kautai tries; Sam Gilbert 3 con, pen, Cameron Millar pen)

Ellesse Andrews has set a new world record at the Oceania Track Cycling Championships PHOTO: MAT GILFEDDER/OCEANIA CYCLING CONFEDERATION Olympic Games double gold medallist Ellesse Andrews set a world record, while the Kiwi endurance riders dominated on the final day of the UCI Oceania Track Cycling Championships in Brisbane. Andrews set a world record in the time trial, increased this year to 1,000m to make it the same for both male and female riders. LATEST HEADLINES: Hendry double-digit Charles Tour wins Van Gisbergen to start 26th at Daytona Phoenix continue struggles in Melbourne Black Caps too good for Pakistan again NZ teams ready for Vancouver Sevens With her endurance background, the sprint star from the Paris Olympics clocked 1:04.697 in qualifying at an average speed of 56kph. This broke the first world record over the new distance for women of 1:07.287 set by Belgium rider Marith Vanhove recently at the Zolder Velodrome. Andrews went 0.3s slower in winning the final with teammate Shaane Fulton second in 1:07.077. This followed two world records by compatriot Bryony Botha in the women’s individual pursuit earlier in the meet, which has been increased to 4,000m. This will set the benchmark for riders in the upcoming European Championships at Zolder. The powerful showing by the kiwi contingent was highlighted with wins for the pairings of Botha and Samantha Donnelly along with Campbell Stewart and Tom Sexton in the exhausting and exciting two-rider Madison, where one rider is always in play, swapping with a one-handed sling. Stewart and Sexton had a ding-dong battle with leading Australians Oliver Bleddyn and Blake Agnoletto, winning the 200-lap, 50km race by just four points. The kiwi pair won eight sprints, but were relegated from one sprint before finishing third in the final double-point sprint to secure the title. It was an all-kiwi battle in the women’s Madison over 120 laps with Botha and Donnelly edging out teammates Rylee McMullen and Emily Shearman by six points. They won four sprints each, but secured Botha and Donnelly third in the double points final sprint was enough to claim the title. With encouraging performances from junior riders, it proved a rewarding competition as the elite riders prepare for next month’s UCI Nations Cup competition in Turkey while riders will also set themselves for the national championships in Invercargill in two weeks.

Michael Hendry made four back-nine birdies to out-duel Cooper Moore to win the Charles Tour's Race to Tieke. PHOTO: GOLF NZ Michael Hendry has won his 10th Charles Tour title at the season-ending Race to Tieke, joining Josh Geary as the most prolific winner in the tour’s history. The 45-year-old veteran pipped New Zealand Amateur champion Cooper Moore by a stroke, firing rounds 64, 67 and 66 around the par-71 championship course at the Tieke Golf Estate outside Hamilton, to finish at 16-under. LATEST HEADLINES: Van Gisbergen to start 26th at Daytona Phoenix continue struggles in Melbourne Black Caps too good for Pakistan again NZ teams ready for Vancouver Sevens Sellouts for White Ferns and Black Caps The Japan Golf Tour champion beat a small field compiled of the top 24 golfers on the Charles Tour Order of Merit, as well as a handful of invited professionals and amateurs, at the unique $100,000 tournament. Further to the hefty prize purse, a spot in the New Zealand Open was also on the line for the top finisher who was not already exempt, setting up a thrilling final day of golf on Friday. Hendry and Moore started the final round tied at 11-under and continued to trade blows throughout the front-nine, with the Golf New Zealand Academy member taking a one-shot lead heading into the final nine. They had separated themselves from the chasing back and continued to match each other with birdies coming home, with Hendry making a crucial one on the short par-four 16th to tie the 16-year-old with two holes to play. Unfortunately, Moore made a bogey on the difficult 17th to hand the lead to Hendry and watch an eight-foot birdie putt slide by to force extra holes, crowning Hendry his 10th tour title. “I would have regretted not winning this tournament,” Hendry said, adding the Race to Tieke to his accumulation of Muriwai, Tauranga, Taranaki, Clearwater, Lawnmaster, and New Zealand Stroke Play titles. The veteran was also very complimentary of his young playing partner, Moore, citing that he “hasn’t been this impressed with a 16-year-old’s game since Lydia Ko.” He will now look at his equipment during the couple of weeks off before the New Zealand Open, as he tinkered with a few things this week. With Hendry and Moore already in the New Zealand Open field, James Tauariki earned the sought-after NZ Open spot, shooting an incredible seven-under-65. Emma Zheng finished as the leading women, finishing seven-under in a share of ninth. Players now turn their attention to the 104th New Zealand Open at Millbrook Resort, near Queenstown, starting on Thursday, February 27.

A hamstring injury has ruled Ben Sears out of the Champions Trophy PHOTO: JOE JOHNSON/LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY Black Caps fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a hamstring injury. Sears felt some pain in his left hamstring at the team’s first training in Karachi on Wednesday and a subsequent scan revealed a minor tear that would require at least two weeks’ rehabilitation. LATEST HEADLINES: NZ teams ready for Vancouver Sevens Sellouts for White Ferns and Blacks Caps Wood, Forest reach the last 16 in FA Cup World championship silver for Alice Robinson Moore, Hendry tied for lead at Race to Tieke The rehabilitation timeframe means that Sears would likely be available for only the team’s final Group A match against India in Dubai, and so the decision was made to rule him out. Sears will be replaced in the official Champions Trophy squad by Otago Volts bowler Jacob Duffy, who is already assembled with the team as part of the squad for the ODI Tri-Series against Pakistan and South Africa. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said the news was bitterly disappointing for Sears. “We’re all really feeling for Ben,” said Stead. “It’s always tough being ruled out of a major event at such a late stage, and it’s especially tough in Ben’s case given it would have been his first major ICC event. “The timeframes for Ben to be fit to play again meant he would likely miss the majority of the group stage, and given the short nature of the tournament, we felt it was appropriate to bring in a player who is fully fit and ready to go. “Ben is a player with huge potential and given the short rehabilitation timeframe, we’re sure he’ll be fit and raring to go for the home series against Pakistan back in New Zealand. Stead said Duffy was a strong replacement in the squad. “Jacob showed with his performances in the recent home series against Sri Lanka that he is more than capable at international level. “He’s been part of the squad for the ODI Tri-Series so he’s fully acclimatised and he’s got plenty of experience in these conditions and is fit and ready to go. “He’s another player who will be experiencing his first senior ICC event, so it will be an exciting few weeks ahead for him.” The Black Caps begin their Champions Trophy campaign in the opening match of the tournament against the hosts Pakistan on Wednesday.

High-fives for the Black Caps as they beat Pakistan in the tri-Nation tournament final PHOTO: ICC The Black Caps have claimed the tri-Nation title in Karachi and sounded out a warning to the hosts, five days before they meet again in the Champions Trophy opener at the same venue. In the absence of the senior quick bowlers, Lockie Ferguson, Ben Sears and Matt Henry it was Will O'Rourke stepped up with 4-43 from 9.3 overs. LATEST HEADLINES: Sears injured, Duffy in for Black Caps NZ teams ready for Vancouver Sevens Sellouts for White Ferns and Blacks Caps Wood, Forest reach the last 16 in FA Cup World championship silver for Alice Robinson The spinners, led by Mitchell Santner (2-20 from 10 overs), strangled Pakistan in the middle overs, limiting them to 242 all out in the final over. At bat the New Zealand side scored 243-5 with 28 balls and five wickets to spare. Devon Conway (48) and Kane Williamson (34) set the platform with a 71-run partnership for the second wicket. Daryl Mitchell launched from there in the middle overs (57 runs) in an 87-run stand with Tom Latham who made 56 after being dropped twice and given a reprieve for an lbw as well. Glenn Phillips sealed the win with 20 runs and Michael Bracewell two not out.

Shane van Gisbergen will start 26th in his first Daytona 500. PHOTO: TRACKHOUSE RACING New Zealand's Shane van Gisbergen will start on the 13th row in his first bid to win Nascar's biggest race. Van Gisbergen will roll off the line from 26th, on the outside of 2021 winner Michael McDowell, in the Daytona 500 on Sunday (Monday NZ Time), in his first full Nascar Cup Series season with Trackhouse Racing. The 35-year-old Aucklander posted the 30th-best time in qualifying on Wednesday (Thursday NZT), after laying down the 14th-fastest time in the first practice session. Van Gisbergen finished 14th in the second of the two Duel races at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday (Friday NZT) that determined the starting positions behind the front row (set after qualifying). The three-time Supercars champion in Australia would have moved up further on the starting grid if not for a controversial caution flag for a last-lap, last-turn crash in his Duel race. The Giz avoided the multi-car wreck but the field was locked when the yellow flag came out. Van Gisbergen is teamed with fellow full-time Trackhouse drivers, American Ryan Chastain and Mexican Daniel Suarez, and part-timer Brazilian former IndyCar champion Helio Castroneves in Daytona. He is relatively inexperienced on oval tracks, especially super speedways like Daytona, with all of his four Nascar national-series (Cup and Xfinity) wins in the last two years coming on street/road courses. The 67th running of the 'Great American Race' has been pushed forward due to expected inclement weather in Florida, with the green flag expected to drop at 2pm Sunday local time (8am Monday NZT).

Alex Rufer was a welcom sight back on the park for the Phoenix but it was a loss to Melbourne Victory PHOTO: A-LEAGUE The Wellington Phoenix have had their first defeat in five weeks beaten 1-0 by Melbourne Victory on a wet night which stretched their winless run at AAMI Park to 23 matches. The result leaves the Nix 10th on the ladder, six points outside the top six. Giancarlo Italiano made just one change to the XI which started the 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar on Waitangi Day with fit-again All Whites fullback Tim Payne returning in place of Japanese midfielder Kazuki Nagasawa. LATEST HEADLINES: Black Caps too good for Pakistan Sears injured, Duffy in for Black Caps NZ teams ready for Vancouver Sevens Sellouts for White Ferns and Blacks Caps Wood, Forest reach the last 16 in FA Cup Club captain Alex Rufer was named on the bench after missing the past six matches with glandular fever, while young forward Luke Brooke-Smith was also back amongst the substitutes. The Phoenix made a promising start with Corban Piper threatening with a couple of long throws inside the opening two minutes. The Nix got in behind the Victory defence a couple of times soon after but the final pass let them down and they weren’t able to test Mitch Langerak in Melbourne’s goal. Former Wellington midfielder Reno Piscopo produced the first shot of the match a quarter of an hour into the contest after Victory teammate Nishan Velupillay stood up a cross to the back post, but Piscopo volleyed his effort well off target. He also blazed over the bar midway through the first half after finding a bit of space on the edge of the Phoenix penalty area. The hosts only managed three other shots in the first 45, but they were all blocked by the well-organised Nix defence. Wellington came closest to breaking the deadlock half an hour into the match when Kosta Barbarouses found some space down the left flank and delivered a curling box into the box that just evaded the head of Payne, who had made a lung-busting run from right back. Barbarouses had limited opportunities in the first half and was twice brought down off the ball by Victory’s centre backs, but both challenges were missed by the referee. Melbourne finished the half the better of the two sides and had a flurry of corners before the break but they weren’t able to threaten the resolute and disciplined Phoenix defence, who ensured the match remained scoreless. The Victory came out with renewed vigour after halftime and Alby Kelly-Heald was called into action for the first time soon after the restart. He made his first save less than 60 seconds into the second half, a regulation one to keep out a shot from Victory midfielder Jordi Valadon, before making a good save at his near post to turn away a stinging effort from halftime substitute Clarismario Santos. Santos helped put the hosts in front shortly before the hour mark when he caught the Nix on the break and delivered an inch-perfect cross that fellow import Nikolaos Vergos headed home. Kelly-Heald made a sharp save soon after to keep out a powerful shot from Zinedine Machach to ensure the Victory didn’t double their lead. Italiano made a triple-change midway through the half, bringing on Rufer, Nagasawa and young forward Nathan Walker in place of Paulo Retre, Hideki Ishige and Lukas Kelly-Heald respectively. The substitutions had the desired effect with the Phoenix controlling more possession and looking more threatening. The Nix registered their first shot on target soon after with Langerak producing a great save to keep out a point blank shot from Barbarouses, who got on the end of a perfectly weighted pass from Payne. Brooke-Smith entered the match in the 77th minute in place of Piper and he announced his arrival with a mazy run into the Victory box and was unlucky to see his shot deflect wide for a corner. Matt Sheridan got in behind the Victory back four soon after but he was unable to pick out a Wellington teammate with his outstretched cutback. The hosts had the chance to seal the win in stoppage time but they blew a couple of gilt-edged chances and Kelly-Heald made a good save to claw away a header from substitute Bruno Fornaroli. The Nix were unable to create their own opening and time ultimately ran out. The Wellington Phoenix will return home tomorrow before quickly turning their attentions to next Saturday’s derby in Auckland.

Michaela Brake will be a key player once again for the Black Ferns if they want to win the title in Vancouver PHOTO: NZR The New Zealand Sevens teams head to their fourth tournament of the season, the Vancouver Sevens in Canada needing wins. The Black Ferns Sevens are two points ahead of rivals Australia in the standing and feature one potential debutant. The men's team is seventh overall and requires some confience boosting wins. LATEST HEADLINES: Sellouts for White Ferns and Blacks Caps Wood, Forest reach the last 16 in FA Cup World championship silver for Alice Robinson Moore, Hendry tied for lead at Race to Tieke Nix ready for crucial away clash with Victory Manawatu teen Maia Davis will be in line to make her international sevens debut, selected in the travelling squad just months after finishing school at Manukura. The Black Ferns Sevens also welcome the return of Olympic gold medallist Stacey Waaka, in her first tournament back since recovering from injury. Davis and Waaka replace Katelyn Vahaakolo and Kelly Brazier from the team that finished second in Perth, both who are now in Super Rugby Aupiki pre-season. The All Blacks Sevens welcome the return of the experienced Joe Webber from injury, while Jayden Keelan is named for his first tournament of the season. The tournament features three pools of four in each division, with the Black Ferns Sevens set to play USA, China and Ireland and the All Blacks Sevens up against Australia, South Africa and Ireland. Black Ferns Sevens team: 1. Manaia Nuku, 2. Jorja Miller, 3. Stacey Waaka, 4. Mahina Paul, 5. Sarah Hirini (C), 6. Michaela Brake, 7. Risi Pouri-Lane, 10. Theresa Setefano, 11. Maia Davis*, 12. Alena Saili, 13. Jazmin Felix-Hotham, 28. Dhys Faleafaga, 88. Kelsey Teneti Unavailable due to injury: Shiray Kaka All Blacks Sevens team: 2. Brady Rush, 3. Tone Ng Shiu, 4. Oli Mathis, 5. Dylan Collier (C), 8. Andrew Knewstubb, 11. Joe Webber, 13. Lewis Ormond, 15. Jayden Keelan, 24. Ngarohi McGarvey–Black, 27. Sione Molia, 64. Regan Ware, 75. Frank Vaenuku, 81. Sofai Maka, Unavailable due to injury: Akuila Rokolisoa, Kitiona Vai, Roderick Solo Vancouver SVNS draw (times in NZDT): Saturday 22 February 9.02am All Blacks Sevens v South Africa 12.06pm Black Ferns Sevens v Ireland 2.51pm All Black Sevens v Australia 5.36pm Black Ferns Sevens v China Sunday 23 February 8.14am All Black Sevens v Ireland 11.24am Black Ferns Sevens v USA Sunday 23/Monday 24 February Play off matches

Mitchell Santner will lead the Black Caps during the home series T20 matches against Pakistan which are double-headers with the White Ferns PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY The opportunity to watch the T20 World Champion White Ferns and the in-form Black Caps on the same day is proving a hit with Kiwi fans. Games have nearly sold out more than a month in advance of the T20I double-headers starting in mid-March. LATEST HEADLINES: Wood, Forest reach the last 16 in FA Cup World championship silver for Alice Robinson Moore, Hendry tied for lead at Race to Tieke Nix ready for crucial away clash with Victory Bryony Botha breaks world cycling record The Black Caps host Pakistan in a five-game T20I series. The White Ferns face Sri Lanka and the Australian women at the same venue on the same day, as double-headers return to the NZC Home International schedule for the first time since 2019. Dunedin’s University of Otago Oval is poised to be the first game sold-out with fewer than 500 tickets remaining for the March 18 fixtures. The series opener at Hagley Oval in Christchurch Sunday March 16 is heading in the same direction and set to be the second venue sold-out in advance. The strong ticket sales continue the summer trend where the Black Caps played in front of full houses for the England Tests and Sri Lankan T20Is, while the White Ferns were set for a record crowd for their opening Rose Bowl encounter in Wellington in December before it was washed-out. Big crowds are also expected for the final three games of the series: at Eden Park on Friday, March 21, Sky Stadium on Sunday, March 23 and the series finale at Bay Oval on Wednesday, March 26. T20I Double-Header Schedule: 1st T20I Double-Header – Sunday 16 March - Hagley Oval, Christchurch White Ferns v Sri Lanka, 10:15am Black Caps v Pakistan, 2:15pm 2nd T20I Double-Header – Tuesday 18 March – University of Otago Oval, Dunedin White Ferns v Sri Lanka, 10:15am Black Caps v Pakistan, 2:15pm 3rd T20I Double-Header – Friday 21 March – Eden Park, Auckland White Ferns v Australia, 2:45pm Black Caps v Pakistan, 7:15pm 4th T20I Double-Header – Sunday 23 March – Bay Oval, Tauranga White Ferns v Australia, 2:45pm Black Caps v Pakistan, 7:15pm 5th T20I Double Header – Wednesday 25 March – Sky Stadium, Wellington White Ferns v Australia, 2:45pm Black Caps v Pakistan, 7:15pm

The 2025 Sir Graeme Douglas International did not disappoint as Athletics New Zealand's Summer Circuit made its way north to Auckland, bringing a slew of national records, athletic stars, and personal bests from track and field. Two weeks after running the fastest 60m time for a New Zealander (6.50 seconds), Tiaan Whelpton kicked off his season in his signature event.  LATEST HEADLINES: Hendry leads Charles Tour's Race to Tieke Bryony Botha breaks world cycling record Portuguese midfielder for Nix on loan deal NZ derbies light up Round 1 of Super Rugby Injury to NZ Warriors star ahead of season He won convincingly in the men’s 100m, setting a new NZ residents record, personal best and meeting record of 10.10 seconds. The time elevates him to second all-time behind Eddie Osei-Nketia’s 10.08s national record.  “That was awesome, the conditions were amazing. I just wish I could’ve executed a bit better with these conditions, but my first 100 of the season and that was a hell of a way to kick it off with a PB,” said Whelpton.  “So, it’s only up from here that national record (10.08) is in my sights,” he added.  He will return to the track on February 22 at the International Track Meet in Christchurch, where he will compete in both the men’s 60m and 100m. In a thrilling shot-put rivalry, Olympians Jacko Gill and Tom Walsh had yet another showdown. Gill claimed the men’s title with a dominant 21.85m throw, securing gold in a tense final round. Holding off Walsh by just under a meter in a hard-fought battle. Gill has successfully achieved an auto-qualifier for the upcoming 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo as he surpassed the standard of 21.50m. After returning from the injury he sustained at the Paris Olympics, Walsh displayed impressive consistency throughout the event, with a best throw of 20.86m in the third round. Despite the injury setback, the two-time Olympic bronze medalist threw multiple times beyond the 20m mark. The rivalry between Gill, who placed sixth at the Tokyo Olympics, and Walsh has defined New Zealand’s shot-put scene for over a decade, with both athletes constantly pushing each other to new distances.  The 15-year-old youngster Sam Ruthe continued his storied performances, smashing his best by eight seconds in the men’s 1500m. He crossed the line at 3 minutes 41.25 seconds, setting a new New Zealand U18 national record. Ruthe has claimed the top spot in the 1500m world age group rankings for a 15-year-old. Meanwhile, Japan’s Ryoji Tatezawa won the race with a time of 3:40.20.  Australian Olympic sprinters Bree Masters and Ellie Beer dominated the women’s sprint events. Masters equalled her personal-best in the women’s 100m, clocking an impressive 11.23 seconds. Meanwhile, Beer opened her season with a strong performance in the 400m, clocking a time of 52.40 seconds, closely followed by New Zealand’s Isabel Neal and Madeline Waddell. Neal crossed in second place in 53.06 seconds, which now ranks her No 1 in New Zealand for the season. Waddell, 17, was right on her tail, running 53.16 seconds, breaking the New Zealand U-20, U-19 and her own New Zealand U-18 record of 53.50 seconds.   The men’s 400m came down to a thrilling finish as Lex Revell-Lewis battled hard against Australians Cooper Sherman and Terrell Thorne. Sherman took the win in a time of 46.14 seconds, while Revell-Lewis and Thorne tied with a swift 46.39 seconds. Although the men’s 400m record still stands, Revell-Lewis will be back in action this weekend at Hamilton’s Porritt Classic, where he will have another crack at becoming New Zealand’s fastest man over the one-lap distance.  Claiming the women’s 1500m top spot was Laura Nagel in a time of 4:17.58. Personal-bests were achieved by Saki Katagihara from Japan, who crossed the line in second place in time of 4:19.22, and youngster Scarlett Robb, who clocked an impressive 4:22.87.   Paralympian Mitch Joynt made history in the men’s mixed para 100m as he flew down the track, smashing his own New Zealand men’s T64 para record with an astonishing time of 11.82 seconds and further cementing his place as one of the country’s top para sprinters. Paralympics silver medalist Will Steadman clocked a time of 12.57 seconds, winning the men’s mixed para 100m race overall by the percentage of world record achieved, with his time being 93.24 percent of the world record.   In the 400m hurdles, Australian Joshua Hook stormed down the home straight to take the win with a time of 50.99 seconds. Ayesha Ibrahim of Japan claimed the women’s title, running a personal best of 57.54 seconds.  Lui Kitada of Japan equalled the pole vault meeting record of 5.32m, and Sae Takemoto of Japan set a women’s javelin throw meeting record of 60.51m.  Many other athletes also achieved personal- and season-bests, setting the stage for an exciting summer ahead as we inch closer to the New Zealand Track and Field Championships in early March. The next stop of the Summer Circuit is the 2025 International Track Meeting on February 22 in Christchurch.