McHugh aims to re-write record books with 19th title

ATHLETICS legend Terry McHugh hopes to set a world record by winning his 19th consecutive national Javelin title at Morton Stadium, Santry this weekend.

McHugh, a four-time Olympian in Javelin as well as a Winter Olympian in bobsleigh, has won every Javelin title since 1984.

He is joint-holder of the world record for consecutive national titles with New Zealander Dave Norris, who won 18 consecutive triple jump titles in the 50s and 60s.

McHugh needs to be at his best as 2002 has seen the emergence of 22-year-old Ben Houghton of Ballymena & Antrim as a serious contender for the title.

Sonia O’Sullivan, meanwhile, has hinted she will use the National Championships to attain the elusive qualifying time she needs to defend her European 5,000m title. Already qualified over 10,000m and 1,500m, she has entered for all three events in the nationals.

She has a 5,000m race planned for Hechtel on Saturday week where she will put the finishing touches to her preparations for Munich.

Reigning 400m champion Tomas Coman will not be fit to defend his title but national record holder Paul McKee and Dundrum’s Robert Daly will ensure this year’s event will be fiercely contested.

Carlow’s Geraldine Hendricken, the sensation of the season, will compete in the 800m. She has had personal bests at 800m and 1,500m already this season and will compete in the 1,500m in Munich.

Hendricken has been in great form and looks likely to continue Ireland’s proud tradition of producing 1,500m finalists at European level. Kilkenny’s Geraldine Nolan (1994) and Sinead Delahunty (1998) qualified for the previous two finals.

Mark Carroll will be hoping to put his recent poor form behind him as will fellow European indoor medal-list James Nolan when they go neck and neck in the 1500m.

Karen Shinkins is expected to take her place in the 400m, Robert Heffernan and Gillian O’Sullivan will be favourites to retain their walking titles, Peter Coghlan will hope to win his 6th title over 110m hurdles, and cross country specialist Seamus Power will be hoping to confirm his debut at a major championship on the track with a win over 10,000m.

The action begins at 12 noon on both days.