http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3780031/Long-shot-runner-is-100m-heat-hero.html
A PODGY shot putter who failed his own event became an unlikely hero after attempting a 100m sprint at the World Athletics Championships.
Sogelau Tuvalu, 17, failed to qualify for shot put so decided to switch to running before the competition.
The man mountain strapped on his trainers for the Daegu heats in South Korea yesterday and lined up against athletes half his size.
And while others exploded off the starting line, spectators were stunned as the American Samoan — whose odds to win were 50,000-to-1 — lumbered on.
He was the only competitor not to have spikes on his shoes but incredibly still managed to beat his own personal best.
Unsurprisingly he came last after clocking 15.66 seconds, nearly five seconds behind winner Mohammad Noor Imran A Hadi of Malaysia.
After the event he grinned as he tried to catch his breath before admitting: "I did one month's training. Four hours a day.
"Of course I believed in myself. "This is a dream come true."
He now holds the dubious honour of being the second slowest in the 28-year history of the championships but follows a fine tradition for his South Pacific island.
In 2001 Trevor Misipeka took to the track in Edmonton, weighing 21 stone, finishing last with a miserable 14.28 seconds.
And eight years later 22-year-old Savannah Sanitoa, also a shot putter, came last with a lowly 14.23 seconds. Today Sogelau's exploits on Saturday were the talk of fans across the world, with a clip of his race notching up 70,000 viewers.
One of them, Steve Magman said: "This man proves that athletics is also many other things than just competing.
"It's also joy of sports and this man proves that also 'normal' persons can enjoy the fever of World Championships."
A PODGY shot putter who failed his own event became an unlikely hero after attempting a 100m sprint at the World Athletics Championships.
Sogelau Tuvalu, 17, failed to qualify for shot put so decided to switch to running before the competition.
The man mountain strapped on his trainers for the Daegu heats in South Korea yesterday and lined up against athletes half his size.
And while others exploded off the starting line, spectators were stunned as the American Samoan — whose odds to win were 50,000-to-1 — lumbered on.
He was the only competitor not to have spikes on his shoes but incredibly still managed to beat his own personal best.
Unsurprisingly he came last after clocking 15.66 seconds, nearly five seconds behind winner Mohammad Noor Imran A Hadi of Malaysia.
After the event he grinned as he tried to catch his breath before admitting: "I did one month's training. Four hours a day.
"Of course I believed in myself. "This is a dream come true."
He now holds the dubious honour of being the second slowest in the 28-year history of the championships but follows a fine tradition for his South Pacific island.
In 2001 Trevor Misipeka took to the track in Edmonton, weighing 21 stone, finishing last with a miserable 14.28 seconds.
And eight years later 22-year-old Savannah Sanitoa, also a shot putter, came last with a lowly 14.23 seconds. Today Sogelau's exploits on Saturday were the talk of fans across the world, with a clip of his race notching up 70,000 viewers.
One of them, Steve Magman said: "This man proves that athletics is also many other things than just competing.
"It's also joy of sports and this man proves that also 'normal' persons can enjoy the fever of World Championships."
