John FitzSimons
Medal record | ||
---|---|---|
Men's athletics | ||
Representing ![]() | ||
Commonwealth Games | ||
![]() | 1966 Kingston | Javelin throw |
![]() | 1970 Edinburgh | Javelin throw |
John Henry FitzSimons (born 12 February 1943) is a British former track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. He was the gold medallist at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, winning with a games record throw of 79.78 m (261 ft 8+3⁄4 in).[1] He is a former British record holder and was the first British man to throw the javelin beyond eighty metres.[2] His personal best is 81.92 m (268 ft 9 in).[3]
He was the 1964 winner of the AAA Championships and was runner-up tin Finland's Jorma Kinnunen in 1966.[4] As well as his 1966 gold, he returned to win a bronze medal at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, helping England to the first ever medal sweep of the javelin by a nation, alongside compatriots Dave Travis and John McSorley.[5] He represented Great Britain at the 1966 European Athletics Championships but ranked only 22nd overall.[6]
He also played minor counties cricket for Berkshire from 1960–1962, making eight appearances in the Minor Counties Championship.[7]
International competitions
Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1966 | British Empire and Commonwealth Games | Kingston, Jamaica | 1st | 79.78 m GR |
European Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 22nd | 68.86 m | |
1970 | British Commonwealth Games | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | 3rd | 73.20 m |
References
- ^ Commonwealth Games: Men’s javelin. Athletics Weekly (2014-07-23). Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- ^ Track Stats - Colin Smith Britain’s javelin maestro: almost 60 years of competition and coaching. NUTS (December 2011). Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- ^ John FitzSimons. Track and Field Brinkster. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- ^ AAA Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- ^ COmmonwealth Games (Men). GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- ^ Men Javelin Throw Athletics VIII European Championships 1966 Budapest (HUN) - Friday 02.09. Todor66. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- ^ "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by John FitzSimons". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
- v
- t
- e
- 1930:
Stan Lay (NZL)
- 1934:
Bob Dixon (CAN)
- 1938:
Jim Courtright (CAN)
- 1950:
Leo Roininen (CAN)
- 1954:
James Achurch (AUS)
- 1958:
Colin Smith (ENG)
- 1962:
Alf Mitchell (AUS)
- 1966:
John FitzSimons (ENG)
- 1970:
Dave Travis (ENG)
- 1974:
Charles Clover (ENG)
- 1978:
Phil Olsen (CAN)
- 1982:
Mike O'Rourke (NZL)
- 1986:
David Ottley (ENG)
- 1990:
Steve Backley (ENG)
- 1994:
Steve Backley (ENG)
- 1998:
Marius Corbett (RSA)
- 2002:
Steve Backley (ENG)
- 2006:
Nick Nieland (ENG)
- 2010:
Jarrod Bannister (AUS)
- 2014:
Julius Yego (KEN)
- 2018:
Neeraj Chopra (IND)
- 2022:
Arshad Nadeem (PAK)