Panizza cruises to second gift victory

Twenty-year-old Perth sprinter Dillon Panizza overcame a significant handicap to record back-to-back victories in the annual 120 metre Dardanup Gift on Saturday.

After winning the 2009 event from a mid-field starting position, this year Panizza was forced to defend his title as the most heavily handicapped runner.

Panizza, who runs for Curtin University Athletics, had his blocks moved back three metres from last year.

He started 15 metres adrift of Samantha Plato, who ran from the first marker.

Panizza won the event in 12.4 seconds and saw off strong challenges from teammate Courtney Heinze (second, 12.5 seconds), and Glenn Ross (third, 12.6 seconds), on his way to victory.

Heinze (10.75m handicap) started one metre in front of Panizza (9.75m), while Ross had a 12.5m head-start.

"I didn’t really give myself a chance," Panizza said.

"I just ran and hoped that either me or my teammate Courtney were going to take it out.

"I was the lucky one in the end."

The event is the headline attraction among a four race program worth almost $7000 at the popular Dardanup Bull and Barrel festival held at the weekend.

Panizza took home $1200 for his win.

Despite living in Perth, the up-and-coming sprinter said his family roots in the South West kept bringing back to compete in the region.

"My grandad enjoys watching me run, he was a bit of a sprinter himself, so seeing him get a bit of enjoyment out of it is what really drives me to come here," he said.

"My grandad grew up and spent his whole life in Dardanup."

Panizza, who won the Mullewa gift earlier this year, was competing in Dardanup for the sixth time.

He is the son of Claremont football legend Darrell Panizza.

"It’s great fun, it’s a great event and hopefully it will keep going," he said.