New Zealand Athletics Team for Birmingham Commonwealth Games Announced

Defending champions Tom Walsh and Julia Ratcliffe will lead an 18-strong New Zealand athletics team at the upcoming Birmingham Commonwealth Games in July.

Athletics Team for Birmingham Commonwealth Games

At the 2018 Gold Coast Games, Walsh claimed gold in the men’s shot put, while Ratcliffe emerged victorious in the women’s hammer throw. This time around, Ratcliffe will be joined by Oceania record-holder and Tokyo Olympian Lauren Bruce, as well as Aucklander Nicole Bradley, marking the first time New Zealand has been represented by three women’s throwers at the same event.

Alongside Walsh in the shot put event is Jacko Gill, who’ll make his second Commonwealth Games appearance. Maddi Wesche, the Tokyo Olympic sixth-place finisher, will also look to continue New Zealand’s rich tradition in the women’s shot put.

World indoor championships bronze medalist Hamish Kerr will be eager to build on his recent success, while Olivia McTaggart and Imogen Ayris will aim to shine in the pole vault, though Olympics bronze medalist Eliza McCartney will miss the event due to injury.

“I used that disappointment as motivation to prioritise my jumping, so to be named in the team this time around is hugely gratifying,” Kerr expressed.

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