Molan went, sawed, conquered

WINNING STAND: A jubilant Whanganui axewoman Rocky Molan celebrates world championship victory in the single saw class during the three-way test series in Australia last month. Fellow New Zealand Axe Fern Darcell Apelu (left) was second ahead of Americans Nancy Zalewski and Erin Lavioe (yellow towel) third and fourth respectively.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

WHANGANUI AXEWOMAN Rocky Molan has won the world single saw title on a limited preparation six months after suffering a life-threatening illness.

Molan was hospitalised with a perforated bowel in Melbourne soon after claiming her fourth Adelaide single saw title and finishing runner-up in Sydney in September.

On a limited preparation Molan returned to Sydney last month as part of the New Zealand Axe Ferns to compete in a three-way test series against Australia and the United States, a team that included two former world champions in Nancy Zalewski and Erin Lavioe.

The illness almost claimed Molan's life, but she bounced back tenaciously to beat the best on the planet, taking the individual title and finishing second in the Jack and Jill competition with Lance Trow from Thames. Darcell Apelu from Mount Maunganui was runner-up to Molan in the single saw, while Zalewski and Lavioe finished third and fourth respectively.

"I was pretty crook in Melbourne last year and knocking on death's door. Since the illness I had to limit my training and competition events. I hardly spent any time in the gym and this was really tough competition we were up against in Sydney with a couple of world champs in the American side," Molan said.

"I managed to get through okay and won what I set out to win in my first major competition since my illness. Unfortunately, the Axe Ferns finished second in the test series after the United States beat us by one blow over the three disciplines. We did beat the Aussies 3-nil, though."

Molan said she was thankful for all the support she had received from numerous quarters and was looking forward to getting back to the gym to prepare to defend her title in Adelaide in September.

In the meantime, Molan was back beavering away at her job with the family trucking business, Grange Transport in Whanganui.

Fellow Whanganui Axe Fern, Jackie Brown, performed well making several finals without celebrating a podium finish during the test series.