72 AUGUST 2019 http://www.soldiermagazine.co.ukATHLETES TOAST DOMINANCE OF TRACK AND FIELD
M
ULTI-EVENTER Cpl
Osman Muskwe (RLC)
returned from injury to
help fi re the Army men to victory
at the annual Inter-Services
athletics showdown.
The decathlon ace, who has
been sidelined with a patellar
(kneecap) tendon problem since
2016, claimed top spot in the long
jump, and added silver medals in
the shot putt and discus, as the
Reds held off the challenge of the
Royal Air Force to retain their title
from 2018.
And it proved to be a day of
double celebration in Nuneaton
as a ruthless women’s outfi t
proved too hot to handle on both
track and fi eld as they claimed a
fi fth successive team crown.
Muskwe’s injury nightmare
meant his preparations for the
competition were far from ideal
but he was pleased with the form
he showed after a lengthy layoff.
“It is good to be back,” the
2013 Army sportsman of theyear told SoldierSport. “To get
on the podium in three events is
a great achievement. The Army
squad is like a family and it is
brilliant to be part of something
so amazing.”
Muskwe was in full-time
training with Team GB and
had hopes of competing at the
Olympics before injury struck
and, while his problems are now
behind him, he said it is too early
to set targets for the future.
“I thought I’d only be out for
the short term so it was really
diffi cult,” the soldier added. “But
I managed to pull through.
“I’m still jumping well and
throwing far. For now it is all
about enjoying my athletics,
rather than setting any goals.”
Hammer thrower Sgt Ben
Jones (RE) gave the Army the
perfect start as he won the
opening event of the day and a
fl urry of points followed courtesy
of stalwart Gdsm Peter Moreno
(Coldm Gds, pictured above).ATHLETICS
He began his campaign with a
four-metre clearance to win the
pole vault and claimed a second
gold medal in the 110-metre
hurdles. Silver medals then
followed in the high jump and
200 metres.
Elsewhere, LCpl Michael Major
(Para) produced a stunning
display to retain his title in a
thrilling 800 metres race and Pte
Keston James (RLC) unleashed
a throw of 55.57 metres to take
top spot in the javelin. Maj Paul
Molyneux (RAMC) celebrated
success in the 5,000 metres.
The men fi nished a triumphant
day with victories in the 4x100
and 4x400-metre relays.
“Peter Moreno is one of our key
performers and it is good to have
that fl exibility,” manager SSgt
Musa Audu (RLC) said.
“It has been a great day but
there are still points we can work
on. We need to bring through
more 1,500-metre runners and we
also lost in the 100 metres.INTER-SERVICES
ATHLETICS
MEN
165
WOMEN
171
Pictures: Shane Wilkinson72-73-sol-aug.indd 1 25/07/2019 14:17