Vic Matthews

Vic Matthews made his name as both a decathlete and hurdler as a teenager. He was the Surrey junior 120 yards hurdles champion in 1952 and 1953, and in the second of those years was third in the senior AAA decathlon. Between 1955-59, Matthews won seven senior Surrey hurdles titles at both 120 and 220 yards, and in 1956 won the AAA decathlon title after finishing second to the non-British national, Gerald Brown of Rhodesia.

Matthews was selected for the 1958 Cardiff British Empire and Commonwealth Games but was eliminated in his 120 yards heat after finishing fourth. The following year he was the AAA 120 champion and in 1960 went to the Roma Olympics but finished sixth and last in his 110 metres hurdles quarter-final heat.

Matthews, along with his wife Hilary and two sons, emigrated to New Zealand in 1963 and, after obtaining an honours degree in Design Education and a diploma in wood and metal crafts, he obtained a teaching position in Hamilton. He later became a well-known New Zealand designer and manufacturer of quality furniture.

Personal Best: 110H – 14.4y (1958).