-
Brent Newdick in Olympic decathlon shot - Source: Reuters
Brent Newdick long jumps in Olympic decathlon - Source: Reuters
Brent Newdick in Olympic decathlon 100m - Source: Reuters -
Watch Video
Brent Newdick is delighted with everything except the final 100m
of his last event on day one of the Olympic decathlon in
London.
The New Zealander ended the day in 16th place on 4104 points, 657
points behind first-placed American Ashton Eaton.
He had earlier recorded a personal best in the shot put and his
best high jump performance of the year to push him into 11th after
four events.
But he faded towards the end of the final event, the 400m, and his
time of 50.22 seconds is 1.02s slower than his best.
"Really, it was just the last 100 of the 400m that took its toll on
me, but I guess that happens on a long day," he said.
"But I'm five or 10 points off my total when I did my personal
best, so we're still right on track for that, even with the battles
in the 400m.
"I just felt like I was not going to go anywhere after 300m and I
still had 100 to go, but I just dug deep and finished."
Newdick began with an 11.10s 100m before recording 7.36m in the
long jump to move up to 15th.
He then broke his shot put personal best by 24cm with a put of
15.09m, moving up to 11th.
"I've been waiting to do 15 metres in competition for the whole
season and finally nailed it, and what better place than here,"
Newdick said.
"Everything else has been solid except for the 400, which isn't the
end of the world still."
He held on to 11th after the high jump, when he recorded a season's
best of 1.96m at his third and final attempt.
Newdick said he now needs "a good sleep, a good feed and a good
massage" to prepare himself for another five events on
Thursday.