Cooper Wightman World Class Athlete – 10th fastest U16 athlete in the world this year !!
The short, but already promising athletics career of year 11 student Cooper Wightman (front #1121) hit a new high at Ngā Puna Wai on 20th October. In his first track outing of the season Cooper took on a strong field over the 800m.
After tracking Angus Sevier and Liam O’Donnell over the first 300m Cooper made a move before the bell, to take a slipstream behind the very capable Sevier. At the 200m mark the pair had put a winning break on the field, and inside the final 100m it was apparent Cooper had plenty left in the tank, easing to the front at the 50m before pulling clear over the closing stages.
Cooper’s 1min.52secs.34 was not only a personal best by over two seconds, but it is also the fastest time by a 15-year-old New Zealander for the 800m, ever. The time is also the 10th fastest by an U16 athlete in the world this year.
An amazing result from one of New Zealand’s rising track stars.