In addition to the performances of Olga Nelubova, Anne Hare, Robert Ballard, Brad Monk and David Hoyle in the 45-49 years age category of the 2009 World Masters Games Athletics, there were several other masters’ athletes demonstrating their elite skills and abilities making this age group one of the most competitive in the World Masters Games in Sydney.
Men’s 45-49 Years Discus
Kevin Brown (45 years) was the 2002 United Kingdom national champion discus thrower and he has competed at various IAAF meets since 1997. One of his best throws was 62.10m in 2000 but has thrown 57.84m during an IAAF meet as recently as 2007. His throw of 50.78m was a convincing win over Australia’s 1986 Commonwealth Games shot put bronze medallist Stuart Gyngall.
Men’s 45-49 Years Weight Throw
Stuart won silver in the weight throw but shot putted 17.48m for a gold medal which is just short of his 3 Australian Masters’ records for each of the age group categories 35-39 years, 40-44 years and 45-49 years but a convincing win over Kazakhstan’s Olympian Sergey Rubtsov. Sergey has been competing internationally in the shot put since 1992. Australia’s Philip Frkovic won the bronze medal and was the 1983-84 junior national shot put champion.
Men’s 45-49 Years 5000m, 1500m, 8km cross country, 10km road race
James Harrison (46 years), Australia’s national 10,000m champion 4 years running between 1989-94 and representative at the World Cross Country Championships between 1987 and 1991, had a fantastic World Masters Games with a gold medal for the 5000m (16:15.5), gold medal for the 1500m (4:11.82), silver medal for the 8km cross country (27:07) and another silver medal for the 10km road race (33:18). Jamie’s long term rival, Peter Brett took the gold in the cross country.
Peter also has extensive international experience including 6th place in the 1990 Commonwealth Games 10,000m, represented Australia 7 times at the World Cross Country Championships between 1986 and 1992 and also ran in the World Cup 3000m steeplechase in 1994.
Gold medal winner of the men’s 45-49 years 10km road run was Russia’s international athlete, Oleg Strizhakov. Oleg has represented Russia in the 5000m, 10,000m, cross country and Marathon events around the world including World Cross Country Championships and the IAAF World Championships between 1984 and 2005.
Although a concentration of prior elite athletes was prominent in the 45-49 years age category for both men and women, the age groups between 50 and 70 seemed to have the largest numbers. As time progresses, it reasonable to assume therefore that competitiveness in the older age groups will improve and the already impressive records could expect be broken over and over.
See more results of the World Masters Games Athletics including the 10km and 8km cross country.
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