Success in Athletics and how to obtain it

DISCUS-THROWING dumb-bells should not be more than r pound each in weight, or he will become slow in his arm move– ments and fail in the final sweep as the discus is hurled. Above~ all, he must throw and keep on throwing, for in this way only will be gained a thorough knowledge and mastery of the discus and the various evolutions through which he passes in making the perfect throw. For this game a man need not be so heavy as for hammer-throwing, but weight is of course a great advantage up to a certain point; but it must be weight combined with speed and agility, and perhaps the best type of athlete for this sport is the tall "well split up" man, weighing about fourteen or fifteen stone, and having abnormally long arms, which enable him to give a large radius to the circle described by the discus as he whirls around with it in hand. Finally, he must be accurate and steady in all his movements and blessed with a steadfast will to persevere. His food must be good and whole– some, with nerve and muscle-building qualities. The athlete should remember that during his train– ing it is more important to learn the correct style than get great distance with the throw at first. Since difficulty is often experienced in keeping the finger-tips placed over the edge of the discus, in this case the thrower is advised to breathe on them and sprinkle on a little powdered resin. Of course, once the athlete has acquired the art, he may begin to throw for distance, but must always revert to the simple practice-throwing directly there is any falling off in his style. In the ordinary way not a day should pass that II