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In 1986 Daley retained two of his four major titles - the Commonwealth
crown in Edinburgh and the European crown in Stuttgart. In Scotland he
was a clear winner with 8663pts. from Canada's Dave Steen but in Germany
the competition was far tougher. His old adversary Jurgen Hingsen was
competing on home soil along with his compatriot Siggi Wentz - the
silver and bronze medallist at the 1983 World championships and the 1984
Los Angeles Olympics. From the very first event, the 100m. Daley went
for gold. His time of 10.26sec. was a world decathlon best but even so,
after four events Hingsen was leading. A concluding 400m. of 47.02sec.
by Daley and a 48.79sec. by Jurgen put an end to that and battle
recommenced the next morning.
Once again Thompson took the honours over
the hurdles (14.04sec. to 14.52sec.) but a 48.42m. discus throw from
Hingsen and 43.38m. from Thompson put the German back into the overall
lead. Not for the first time the pole vault proved to be the killer
event for the huge German. He failed to go beyond 4.60m. whereas Daley
soared over 5.10m. Only Daley could lose it now with just the javelin
and 1500m. to go and he didn't. His total of 8811pts. was a championship
best performance (CBP), Hingsen scored 8730pts and Wentz 8676pts. In
the rain affected Commonwealth Games, (photo above shows Daley in the Discus)
Daley also set a new Games Best Performance thus ensuring both of his
final Championship victories went in the record books.
Neither record
was bettered at any of the three championships during the next decade
1990, 1994 and 1998 though Dan O'Brien (USA) with 8891pts. did beat
Daley's World Record of 8847pts. set at the 1984 Olympics. (GH)
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