WATCH: Rivah breaks 29-year-old PSSA record

By LIAM HAUSER

Gunnedah’s Rivah McDonald set a state record and won a gold medal at the recent Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) state championship at Sydney Olympic Park.

Rivah’s record time and personal best of 13.98 seconds came in the 8 years 100m sprint on Wednesday last week.

Rivah’s coach Maryanne Perkins said Rivah worked very hard in the lead-up to the event, and “ran a near perfect heat” to break the record dating back to 1995.

Maryanne said Rivah followed her programs “to the finest detail and has applied himself with a commitment and attitude that is very admirable for his age”.

Maryanne said Rivah has benefited greatly from running against older, faster children in the Gunnedah Health & Fitness Talented Athlete Program (TAP), and has started an age-appropriate strength program to help his development.

Following his record-breaking sprint, Rivah ran a time of 14.33 in the semi-finals to book the prime lane for the final.

Despite his competitor next to him false starting, Rivah remained composed as he ran an impressive 14.09 in the final to cross the finish line first; metres ahead of the runner-up.

In the lead-up to his 100m sprint, Rivah also ran the 200m distance and placed sixth in his heat and 22nd overall as he was the only eight-year-old in the state to qualify for the event.

Rivah’s immediate family, extended family, school community and general community were cheering him on, both from near and afar.