Philip Spies (born 21 May 1970) is a retired South African javelin thrower. Primarily a provincial cricketer at school and South African Country District level, chose athletics over cricket. The arrival in South Africa of American World Record Holder, Tom Petranoff (in 1989) was a big deciding factor for Spies with regards to choosing athletics over cricket. Petranoff became an integral part of Spies' athletics career and still regards Petranoff as being one of the great javelin throwers of all time considering that Petranoff held two separate world records: 99.72m with the "Old" model and 85.38m (at the time a WR) with the "new" model. He became South African Schools champion at 17 years of age and achieved South African Schools Colors in 1988. Versatile sportsman who played on the SA Tennis Union circuit in 1990/ 1991 and reached a best golf handicap of 05 in 2000.

He won the bronze medal at the 1992 African Championships,[1] the silver medal at the 1993 African Championships,[1] finished eighth at the 1994 Commonwealth Games,[2] and won the silver medal at the 1995 All-Africa Games.[3] He also competed at the 1993 World Championships and the 1995 World Championships without reaching the final.[4][5]

His personal best throw was 84.02 metres, achieved in April 1995 in Pietersburg.[6] Unofficially threw 89.10m in Harare,Zimbabwe in 1995. Competed in more than 45 countries worldwide in the colours of Rand Afrikaans University and representing South Africa.

Qualified Athletics South Africa Level 3 Javelin coach. Certified SAFA Level 1 soccer coach, certified SAMHA level 1 hockey coach. Qualified sports massage therapist.

Gym equipment consultant for Evolve Fitness Africa together with Okkert Brits specializing in High Performance Centres across Southern Africa, Commercial Gyms, Schools, Olympic Weightlifting Facilities.

Upon retirement from athletics, spent 15 years doing athletics commentary on IAAF International Events , Olympic Games, Golden League meetings etc. for SuperSport Television together with middle distance star and Potchefstroom University High Performance Institute Director, Jean Verster.

References

  1. 1 2 "African Championships". GBR Athletics. Athletics Weekly. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  2. ↑ "Results". Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  3. ↑ "All-Africa Games". GBR Athletics. Athletics Weekly. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  4. ↑ "Men Javelin Throw Athletics IV World Championship 1993 Stuttgart (GER)". Todor Krastev. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  5. ↑ "Men Javelin Throw Athletics V World Championship 1995 Goteborg (SWE)". Todor Krastev. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  6. ↑ Phillip Spies at World Athletics


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