Vesmonis (Wes) BALODIS
Wes came to Collingwood in 1955-56 season after a number of placings in the field events in the South Australian Championships. He also gained bronze medals in the shot put at the National Titles in 1954, 1955 and 1956.
It was around the time of his shift to Victoria that he began looking to add the discus throw to his repertoire. Wes had some very pleasing early rewards, with a silver medal at the 1956 Australian Championships and a win in the Olympic trial in the same year.
There was a setback when it was noticed that Wes was still a citizen of Latvia! Apparently the Australian Government ‘rushed’ through his citizenship thus enabling him to take his place in the Australian team at the MCG.
Wes in action at the MCG – 1956 Olympics
Wes dominated discus throwing in Australia, winning the National Title in 57, 58 and 1959.
He retired from elite competition at the age of 27 after his second placing in the discus at the 1960 Australian Championships.
In the meantime Wes had been a very welcome addition to the Collingwood ranks, being a member of both of the Club’s A Grade Track Premierships in the mid to late 50s.
At one stage in his after Collingwood activities, Wes became Mine Host at the Builder’s Arms Hotel in Gertrude St. Fitzroy.
Wes also visited the (old) clubrooms one Monday night in the early seventies to demonstrate a new fangled piece of gymnasium equipment to the incumbent Committee. Now being a representative of the firm producing the gear, Wes was eager to make a sale.
Wes shifted away from the area and in later years joined the Williamstown Athletic Club, having some success in the Masters comps for a number of seasons.
Wes passed away in October 2020 at the age of 87.
The following list includes the ‘known’ results, including State, Interstate, National and International events, of the nominated person.
The list does not include:
* the many summer events (Track/Interclub/Shield) that the person may have done
* the Club winter races
* relays
Some of these results can be found elsewhere on this website (see ‘results’)
The Club would be pleased to be notified of any extra information from members or athlete’s families with regard to corrections or additions to the lists.
Any further information to add to the history of the Collingwood Harriers would be very welcome.
Contact Steve Griffiths steveg@techinfo.com.au
1956
Olympic Games
Melbourne 20th Discus 44.24m
1957
Australian Championships
Open 1st Discus 45.24m
Open 3rd Shot Put 14.76m
Victorian Championships
Open 2nd Shot Put 14.30m
Open 1st Discus 45.91m
1958
Australian Championships
Open 1st Discus 46.18m
Open 2nd Shot Put 15.21m
Victorian Championships
Open 1st Discus 43.22m
Open 4th Javelin 52.51m
1959
Australian Championships
Open 1st Discus 48.16m
Open 3rd Shot Put 14.86m
Open 7th Javelin 44.64m
Victorian Championships
Open 1st Shot Put 14.78m
Open 1st Discus 45.81m
Open 7th Javelin 53.60m
Victorian Decathlon Championship 10th 4312 points
100m 11.8 110m Hurdles 22.2
Long Jump 5.50m Discus 45.40m
Shot Put 15.02m Pole Vault 2.59m
High Jump 1.37m Javelin 53:38m
400m 57.6 1500m 5:37.7
1960
Australian Championships
Open 2nd Discus 48.68m
Open 3rd Shot Put 14.94m
Victorian Championships
Open 2nd Discus 46.68m
Open 3rd Shot Put 13.92m
Open 11th Javelin 49.73m