The expression “Dynamic Duo” best illustrates the achievements of Callum Brown and Michael Painter. These two young CoNAC-ers have both produced many outstanding performances during the summer months culminating in gold and silver medals in the Hammer at the Commonwealth Youth Games held in the Isle of Man earlier this month.
While both are proficient at the Shot and Discus, the Hammer event is where they really excel. As an Under 18 Callum Brown’s is the UK’s No 1 with a World ranking of 11th. A personal best was achieved early in the year when he produced a throw of 70m 69cm and in July broke the long-standing Norfolk Schools record of 21 years when moving the 6km hammer out to 64m 00cms. An outstanding effort and new personal best of 73m 86cms secured his selection for Great Britain at the World Youth Track & Field Championships held in Lille in July. In what proved to be his toughest competition to date with an effort of 67m 90cms he finished in a creditable 14th position from a starting field of 41 throwers. Moving on from this steep learning curve he had already secured his place in the England team to compete in the Commonwealth Youth Games. In this he was not to fall short of expectations when taking gold with a superb throw of 72m 19cms, a truly wonderful way to finish his best ever season.
Michael Painter was ranked 1st in the Under 17 age group for Hammer and filled the top spot the event in the Norfolk Schools and Anglian Schools Track & Field Championships. Gateshead in July proved to be a happy hunting ground for Michael when he took the Intermediate Boys title at the English Schools with 66m 08cms. A week later he made it a golden double when winning the UK Schools International in Cardiff with 66m 41cms. A call-up for Great Britain came next when he competed in the European Youth Games staged in Trabzon, Turkey where a personal best throw of 70m 85cms placed him in a satisfying 6th position. September saw him representing England and teaming up with Callum to take on the Commonwealth’s best in the Isle of Man. His effort of 68m 84cms was good enough to take the silver medal and to stand alongside his club mate on the victor’s rostrum.
Coached at the Club by John Painter, London 2012 will come a little early for the two boys but who is to say what they capable of achieving when the Olympic Games heads for Brazil in 2016!