Philip Spies (born 21 May 1970) is a retired South African javelin thrower. Primarily a provincial cricketer at school and South African Country District level, chose athletics over cricket. The arrival in South Africa of American World Record Holder, Tom Petranoff (in 1989) was a big deciding factor for Spies with regards to choosing athletics over cricket. Petranoff became an integral part of Spies' athletics career and still regards Petranoff as being one of the great javelin throwers of all time considering that Petranoff held two separate world records: 99.72 m with the "Old" model and 85.38 m (at the time a WR) with the "new" model. He became South African Schools champion at 17 years of age and achieved South African Schools Colors in 1988.Was ranked third in the world in 1988 as 17 year old throwing 72,24 meters. Versatile sportsman who played on the SA Tennis Union circuit in 1990/ 1991 and reached a best golf handicap of 05 in 2000.
Won the bronze medal at the 1992 African Championships, [1] the silver medal at the 1993 African Championships, [1] finished eighth at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, [2] and won the silver medal at the 1995 All-Africa Games. [3] He also competed at the 1993 World Championships and the 1995 World Championships without reaching the final. [4] [5]
His personal best throw was 84.02 metres, achieved in April 1995 in Pietersburg. [6] Unofficially threw 89.10 m in Harare,Zimbabwe in 1995, throw not ratified. Competed in more than 45 countries worldwide in the colours of Rand Afrikaans University and representing South Africa.
