Recognition of Service to Javelin – Gavin Lovegrove

February 28, 2019
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New Zealand Men’s Javelin Record Holder Gavin Lovegrove was presented with a Special Award at the Porritt Classic this year to recognise over 35 years of service to our sport especially the javelin throw. He was appreciated and applauded by his peers and surrounded by Porritt Classic javelin competitors at the presentation.Gavin returned to where it all started for him, Porritt Stadium, to receive the award from Throws Event Group Leader Dale Stevenson, who presented on behalf of the Athletics New Zealand Throws fraternity.

Gavin set his New Zealand National Record of 88.20m in Oslo in July 1996 having earlier in that year set the New Zealand Resident Record of 86.80m on Auckland’s North Shore.

Gavin represented New Zealand with distinction at 2 Olympic Games [Atlanta and Barcelona] with a best finish of 9th and won bronze medals at 3 consecutive Commonwealth Games [Edinburgh 1986, Auckland 1990 and Victoria 1994]. He represented New Zealand at 5 World Championships with best finish of 4th in Tokyo 1991 with a distance of 84.24m.

As a junior, Gavin twice broke the World Junior Record. His best was a throw of 79.58m in New Caledonia. He won Bronze in the men’s javelin at the 1st World Junior Championships in 1986 in Athens.

Gavin has been NZ Javelin Champion 6 times. Gavin had his mantle taken over by Stuart Farquhar.

Following retirement Gavin started his own Web Design Company which included designing the Athletics New Zealand rankings and results website. He also served as a New Zealand team selector.

Having escaped Auckland and returning to his native Waikato 2 years ago, Gavin continues his interest in javelin by being a key member of current National Champions Ben Langton Burnell and Tori Peeter’s support teams.

It was a fantastic moment for Gavin to be recognised by New Zealand’s Throwers as he was a revolutionary leader in the Men’s Javelin throw in the 1980’s and 1990’s and has gone on and continued giving his support to the sport he is passionate about.


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