Women’s participation in the Decathlon is a long discussed topic in the world of track and field with women currently officially only competing in the Heptathlon on the world stage.
Over the past weekend 5 women from Kent came together to tackle the 10 events, more commonly completed by the men. Of the 5 women in the Championship event 4 had an affiliation to the club and all left with a record! The competitors were Hannah Lewis (BBHAC U23), Holly Platt (BBHAC SW), Jessie Sargeant (BBHAC U20), Lucinda White (Tonbridge AC / BBHAC 2nd Claim U20) and Nia Thomas (Medway & Maidstone U20).
Due to timetabling around the men’s decathlon, the masters championships, other combined events and U13 championships the competition took on the women’s alternative format. Day 1 consisted of the 100m, Discus, Pole Vault, Javelin and 400m followed by the 100m Hurdles, Long Jump, Shot Put, High Jump and 1500m.
Day 1 was filled with success with every athlete achieving a PB in the Javelin! The Saturday ended with Platt leading the senior women’s competition and White leading the U20’s. The effects of the length of the competition were apparent on Day 2 with all athletes discussing aches on arrival but even more determined to make it through. Arguably, the spectator highlight of the day was the 1500m which saw the women battle it out with a sprint finish!
Overall a great weekend for all involved! It’s great to see so many women involved in the decathlon with Platt coming to the event off the back of the Inaugural Women’s Decathlon World Championships in Ohio on the 3rd-4th August. She attended the event with Hannah Lewis, the moment which inspired Lewis to try the County Championships. Sargeant, White, Thomas and Lewis all competed in the Decathlon for the first time! Point scores at the end of the event were as follows:
U20
- Jessie Sargeant – 4859pts, BBHAC U20 Decathlon Club Record
- Lucinda White – 4554pts, Tonbridge AC U20 Decathlon Club Record
- Nia Thomas – 2993pts, M&MAC U20 Decathlon Club Record
Senior Women
- Holly Platt – 3794pts, BBHAC SW Decathlon Club Record
- Hannah Lewis – 3250pts, BBHAC U23 Decathlon Club Record (Possible Loughborough Students AC Record – awaiting verification)
Great work ladies! We hope to see even more women competing in the future!
