Mike Denley

Mike Denley was educated at Hampton School, London, and in 1949 won the AAA junior javelin title. He went on the become the first man to win the senior AAA title three times in 1950 and 1952-53, and was runner-up to the Italian Amos Matteucci in 1951. Fellow Old Hamptonian Dave Travis went on to win a record seven AAA javelin titles between 1965-74.

When Denley won the AAA title in 1952 he set a new national record 65.86, one of two occasions he broke the record that season. Sadly, at that year’s Olympics, he threw four feet below his record in the qualification round, and failed to reach the final. Despite never enjoying great success on the international stage, Denley was certainly one of the first British javelin throwers to be able to compete with some of the world’s best.

Personal Best: JT – 65.86 (1952).