While Sam Ruthe and Sam Tanner stole the show at the Potts Classic at the weekend, Otago athletes celebrated their own success. Seven Otago athletes picked up 10 medals at the inaugural New Zealand short-track championships in Hastings, run in conjunction with the national summer circuit event. McDonald was crowned the champion with a best jump of 7.47m, while Veitch won silver with his leap of 7.43m. Jorja Gibbons came home strongly to win bronze in the women’s 60m in 7.67sec, and Ryan Young won bronze in the men’s triple jump in 14.28m. Athletics Otago will host its own Otago track mile championships, Otago 10,000m championships and Otago combined event championships at the Caledonian this weekend.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 19, 2026 15:41 UTC