Evening star., 1909-06-07
NEW WORLDS RECORD.
John Flanagan Throws 16-Pound
Hammer 174 Feet 33s Inches

NEW YORK. June John Flanagan.
the great weight thrower of the Irish
American Athletic Club. established new
worlds record at Celtic Park yesterday
afternoon throwing the sixteen-pound
hammer. He threw the weight la feet
:3s inches from "a seven-foot circle, beat
ing the mark made by Matt McGrath
of the New York A. c. two years ago al
Montreal by Sas inches.
As the distance was measured with a
steel tape and the circle was the reg
ulation steel one and all requirements
carried out i'm the presence of several
4. A. L. officials. the mark will un-
doubtedly be allowed.
For two years, Genial john as he
is known in the athletic world, has tried
nightly to regain the title lost TO Nc
Grath. He trained as faithfully an
athlete can, but not until yesterday was
he able to beat his opponent record.
a score of times he has shot the giant
hammer through the air to record dis
tances, but always the voice of the
referee called Foul.
For months he competed in every event
possible. but try he might he could
not attain his ambition. Once he became
discouraged after IA great foul throw
and blurted out. I'm a dead one. Like
all other fallen champions. l can't come
back.
But spurred on by the advice of his
and his love for the
sport, he continued to train hard. With
the opening of this season, he began US
ing four turns before his throws. With
this style he found he could beat rec
ords but lie also learned il was impos-
sible to remain within the circle and do
the trick.
When he entered the ring Yesterday al!
eyes were upon him. Not in anticipation
him make world record
but to watch his new style of throwing.
To their momentary disappointment, he
took only three whlrls. They were not
fast, and the hammer travelled only ltt
feet. His next time up he increased his
speed, and let go his hold with powerful
jerk. II went much farther than lis
first. but before IL landed that cry of
foul rang out His third and fourth
trials also resulted in fouls.
Then came the fifth, and with il the
new record. He spun through the air
with terrific force. and while the ham
mer was sailing low and straight, he
landed we'll within the circle
When measured. il recorded Ia feet
3as inches. He still had another try. and
the announcepent Of his record again
attracted the attention of the crowd.
but. as on his earlier throws. he went
out of bounds. and ii was not measured
Il don't care if | never win another
prize in my life. smiled John. after
the contest. III continue AT the game.
but now that I've beat McGrath's mark
/ m satisfied.
Dan Ahearn, the great jumper. leaped
to record distance in the hop. step and
jump. but his new mark will not he al
lowed He jumped ~ feet ia inches.
beating the worlds record hut TIE
"take-off" was not the regulation kind
and the record will not be recognized
The games. which We're held under the
auspices OF the Bricklayers and Masous
Union. brought out a crowd of more than
four thousand spectators and a hundred
noted athletes.
In the track events Fom Collins. Frank
Riley and -ank Robbins performed
best. Collins captured the tnree-mile
run from scratch in easy fashion. in the
fast time of IL minutes - seconds. Riley
won the half-mle handicap. and Rob
bins finished third from scratch in the
:'OO-yard race. He ran magnificent
race. but the handicap proved too much
for him overcome.