Berg takes shot at sixth national title

SOUTH Bendigo’s Emma Berg will be chasing a sixth consecutive women’s open shot put crown in Saturday’s action at the Australian Athletics national champioships in Sydney.

A season-best mark of 16.61 metres has put Berg on top of the seedings for the meet at Olympic Park.

The first of her national title wins was in Sydney in 2019.

COVID meant no competition in 2020 and ’21.

Berg struck back to claim gold at Sydney in ’22 and ruled again at the national title finals in Brisbane, ’23; and Adelaide, ’24.

A year ago a personal best of 16.88m clinched gold in Perth.

Berg’s lead-up to nationals included a mark of 15.80m to win the Victorian championship, and 16.08m at the Hobart Track Classic.

A busy summer has included coaching several of the region’s gun throwers.

Qualifying round at the nationals will be from noon on Saturday leading into the final from 7.30pm.

Two of Athletics Bendigo’s young guns in Abbey Reid and Fletch Watchman also earnt selection in the Big V squad to compete in Sydney.

A personal best of 6135 points by Watchman earnt gold in the under-20 decathlon at the Victorian championships run at South Melbourne’s Lakeside Stadium.

Highs for Watchman in his charge to the state title included wins in the 100m, high jump, 110m hurdles, and pole vault.

A 10-discipline showdown is an incredible test of all-round ability, endurance, and mental and physical toughness.

The campaign for Eaglehawk Athletics Club’s rising star who is coached by Terry Hicks began yesterday and ends today.

Watchman’s events on day two will be 110m hurdles, discus, pole vault, javelin, and 1500m.

His feats at the state multi-events titles at Casey Fields in January earnt the first scholarship in the 61st Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards.

Bendigo University’s Abbey Reid will contest the women’s open 3000m steeplechase at 8.15pm on Saturday.

Reid earnt silver as she clocked 11:16 in the under-20 3000m steeple final at the Victorian titles.

The Bendigo University Athletics Club member was a scholarship recipient in the 60th Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards.