Sayers setting a new UK javelin record at the Crystal Palace Grand Prix, 2012
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Personal information | |
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Born |
Newmarket, Suffolk |
16 July 1982
Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
Weight | 11 st (70 kg) |
Sport | |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sport | Athletics |
Event(s) | Javelin |
Medal record
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Updated on 11 August 2012. |
Goldie Sayers, born Katherine Dinah Sayers (born 16 July 1982), is a British javelin thrower. She was born in Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom. On 20 May 2007, Sayers set a new British record in the javelin at 65.05 m (213 ft 5 in), thus becoming the first British woman to throw over 65 metres since javelins were redesigned in 1999. Sayers set the record when competing for her university, Loughborough, at the Loughborough International match. She cemented this achievement at the Norwich Union Glasgow Grand Prix on 3 June 2007 where she beat a top-class international field in rainy conditions with a throw of 63.59 m. Defeated rivals included European champion and Olympic silver medallist Steffi Nerius and world champion Barbora Špotáková.
Sayers was educated at Fairstead House School, Newmarket, and at The King's School, Ely. She played hockey, netball and tennis at county level, and was an under 11 national table tennis champion. She changed her name to Goldie by deed poll when she was 17 years old, influenced by actress Goldie Hawn.
Sayers first came to prominence when setting national junior records and winning national titles, in 2001. Sayers also served as the captain of Great Britain's women's under 20 team, this season. The following season, Sayers finished in sixth place at the Commonwealth Games.
From 2003–2007, Sayers won five consecutive national titles but had limited success at major championships, failing to make the final at her first Olympics in 2004 and finishing twelfth at both the 2005 World Championships and 2006 European Championships.
The early 2007 season boded well for Sayers, setting two UK records and defeating high-class rivals, such as Germany's European champion Steffi Nerius and the Czech Republic's Barbora Špotáková, who went on to win the world title that season, at a championship where Sayers finished 18th in qualifying, with her worst result of the season: 57.23 m.