Decathlete Clay No. 1 in the world

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Bryan Clay, a 1998 Castle High graduate, scored 8,225 points last weekend. Advertiser library photo

Clay came within five points of his highest career score and logged three personal best decathlon marks last weekend as he started his push toward the Olympic decathlon.

He scored 8,225 points last weekend to win the appropriately titled "Challenge of Atlas and Athena" decathlon at Berkeley, Calif.

In his first decathlon this season — a week after he graduated from Azusa Pacific University — Clay turned in his personal-best time of 10.46 seconds in the 100 meters, and his personal decathlon bests of 15 feet, 9 inches in the pole vault and 191-9 (his best by one inch) in the javelin.

In an interview with the Advertiser last month, Clay said, "So far this year training has been out of this world. I am stronger and faster than before.

"I have never started the year this well. It is only a taste of what is to come for the rest of this year as long as I can stay healthy."

He had to pull out of the World Championships last August because of nagging injuries, but a long winter's rest seems to have him well-prepared.

Clay, 23, is a 1998 Castle High School graduate whose family now resides in Kaimuki.