Tributes paid to Kempton’s ten-time hammer throw champion

One of Kempton Park and South Africa’s most celebrated athletes, Adam Barnard, died on May 16 at the age of 81 after a long illness.

Barnard was the South African hammer throw champion a remarkable 10 times: 1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 77, 78, 79 and 1980.

Additionally, he broke the SA hammer throw record an incredible 22 times during his 15-year career.

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His final record distance of 73.86m set in March 1976 stood for over 20 years and was only broken in 1988 by Chris Harmse. He improved on Barnard’s long-standing record with a throw of 74.92m in Roodepoort.

The star athlete was awarded his Springbok colours for the first time in 1971 and also competed overseas for the first time the same year.

Springbok colours were awarded to him a further nine times during his career. He was also Springbok captain in 1972 and competed internationally on numerous occasions.

Because of international sanctions, he was denied the opportunity to represent his country at the Olympic Games.

He did, however, win the British Championships on two occasions and in 1975 was recognised for his achievements by former president Nick Diedericks who bestowed him with the President’s Award.

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Barnard, along with former Kempton Park mayor, Harry Wolfaardt, started the Kempton Park Athletics Club.

Once he retired from competing he started coaching and shared his knowledge and experience with numerous young talented athletes, hammer throwers in Kempton Park and members of the Kempton Pak Athletics Club.

He is survived by his wife Elsa, who worked for Kempton Express, and three children.