WMA throws out javelin specs, records for W60, W65 and W70
Starting this year, women 60-74 will throw the 500-gram javelin instead of the 400-gram spear, thanks to approval of an Australian proposal at Porto Alegre worlds. USATF adopted the new specs at the Indy annual meeting, and Jerry Bookin-Weiner says he is writing about this and other implement changes for National Masters News. In response to a query, Jerry wrote me: “Men’s and women’s shots at the WMA level may (note MAY, not must) have up to the same diameter as the largest men’s or women’s open shot. The rationale for this change (which has been in the USATF rules for a long time) is that our hands do not get any smaller as we age. The W75+ .75kg discus may (note again MAY, not must) have the same specifications (except obviously weight) as the 1kg discus. Same rationale as above.” Rex Harvey tells me that Oceania President Wilma Perkins, wife of WMA President Stan Perkins, proposed the change from 400 to 500 grams for the javelin, which was summarized in the General Assembly booklet at worlds.
Change was voted 3 months ago, but WMA still shows old javelin specs.
Discount Team USA hotel in the works for Budapest worlds
Gary runs sprints, too.
Happy 95th birthday to the Italian Sprint Stallion: Ugo Sansonetti
Ugo dressed for diving.
The article continues:
In athletics, however, the true passion of Sansonetti, registered with the Romatletica, is the speed and also the specialties in career gave him more satisfaction. Suffice it to say that in 2011 (92 years!) Still ran the 60 meters in 11.83 and 100 in 19:39 (also with 2.3 meters of the wind against!). The secret of such longevity? Is he in the title of one of the three books of which he is the author Sansonetti, “Do not ever stop.”
Thursday Night at the Gouges: Armory all-comers charges $25
New York is expensive, everyone knows. But $25 to enter a nonsanctioned all-comers meet? Most such events charge $5, but rarely over $10. (Even the Oregon TC meets at hallowed Hayward Field ask a maximum of $3.) But the famed Armory track in Manhattan has a series of Thursday Night at the Races meets that cost $20 for online registration and $25 for day-of-meet entry. Why? I have no idea. I wrote to meet director Tim Fulton of New York Road Runners, and he didn’t reply immediately. Radio silence from the Armory as well. “The busiest facility of its kind, the (New Balance Track & Field Center at The Armory) hosts more than 100 track meets annually,” says the Armory. “More than 125,000 athletes of all ages visit and compete in the Armory each year.”
Kidlets await gun at first Thursday Night at the Races event of 2014. Photo from ArmoryTrack.com, unknown photographer.
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Ahmad Shabazz gets day in the sun: M65 sprinter is profiled
IAAF World Best Charles Allie smoked the track last July in Berea, Ohio, at the National Senior Games. Far behind in the M65 100 was Ahmad Faheem Shabazz, a former star and coach of the U.S. Army Rangers indoor and outdoor track teams. Ahmad ran 15.05, almost 3 seconds behind Charles. But he still deserved this recent article in his South Carolina paper. “After retiring from the public school system of South Carolina and his own private consultant business, Shabazz, in the year 2008, began participating on the seniors/masters track and field circuit,” the story reported. “Despite missing the entire 2010 season due to a severe injury and three surgeries in 2013, Shabazz, since 2008, has won gold medals in 13 senior Olympic events.”
Ahmad Shabazz is shown winning the 100 at the Georgia Golden Olympics.
San Diego State masters FLASH100 exhibition returns in March
An elite masters 100 is returning to San Diego State University in mid-March. Last year, it awarded close to $1,000 in prize money, with Jamaica M40 Chris Williams, a three-time Olympian, winning in 10.62. (Chris served a two-year suspension after his cold-medicine triggered a positive drug test). Kuba Wasowski, the event organizer, writes: “The Flash100 (invitational race) provided a unique opportunity to recognize and reward top masters athletes for their accomplishments and their lifelong dedication to sport. The event was truly appreciated by the participants, spectators and the track & field community. The Flash100 was exclusively covered on RunnerSpace and received attention from such media outlets as Track and Field News and the Boston Globe.” Here’s last year’s Flash100 race:
Bob Lida better than Mo Greene? Lowers own M75 WR in 60
Bob (right) at indoor meet in 2012.
Karla Del Grande quietly preps for indoor WR assault in sprints
Karla’s 300 at Toronto.
University of Toronto TC relayists from left are Peter Zowkewich, Duncan Greenshields, Doug Smith and John “Run Like” Helliker.
M95 superstar Pauwels plans own death after discovering cancer
Emiel is pictured on story telling his plans.
Emiel excelled at many distances and the high jump, and won world titles.
Not freezing everywhere; Oceania masters meet begins in Bendigo
The Bendigo Advertiser is doing a bang-up job covering the just-begun Oceania Masters Athletic Championships in southeast Australia. The official site still lacks results, but the local paper reports some Day 1 dec scores, including 2326 points for Rad Leovic, 86. Maybe these shots by Brendan McCarthy will help take the edge off the East Coast freeze-snap. (Down under, the highs are in the mid-70s.) We hope our East Coast friends are keeping their warm spirits amid the brutal cold. How are y’all doing, and training, on the right coast?
Brendan McCarthy’s shots include this M55 decathlete in the long jump.
