Philip Spies (born 21 May 1970) is a retired

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

javelin throw The javelin throw is a track and field event where the javelin, a spear about in length, is thrown. The javelin thrower gains momentum by running within a predetermined area. Javelin throwing is an event of both the men's decathlon and the ...

er. 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, the silver medal at the 1993 African Championships, finished eighth at the

1994 Commonwealth Games The 1994 Commonwealth Games ( French: ''XVéme Jeux du Commonwealth'') were held in Victoria, British Columbia, from 18 to 28 August 1994. Ten types of sports were featured at the Victoria Games: athletics, aquatics, badminton, boxing, cycling, ...

, and won the silver medal at the

1995 All-Africa Games The 6th All-Africa Games were played from 13 to 23 September 1995 in Harare, Zimbabwe. 46 countries participated in eighteen sports. South Africa, having previously been banned from competition by the other African nations, was invited to the ...

. He also competed at the 1993 World Championships and the 1995 World Championships without reaching the final. His personal best throw was 84.02 metres, achieved in April 1995 in Pietersburg. 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

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spies, Phillip 1970 births Living people South African male javelin throwers World Athletics Championships athletes for South Africa Commonwealth Games competitors for South Africa Athletes (track and field) at the 1994 Commonwealth Games African Games silver medalists for South Africa Athletes (track and field) at the 1995 All-Africa Games African Games medalists in athletics (track and field) https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/spies-still-banned-1584418.html https://mg.co.za/article/1995-11-10-spies-makes-his-point/ https://fullstopcom.com/2011/09/sixes-supports-braai-day-with-spit/ https://www.fromthethornveld.co.za/56-athletics-south-africa-tragedy-and-farce/