Masters shine in World Titles

Perth came alive with over 4,000 athletes from ages 35 years plus converged on the city. With three grounds in operation at all times, athletes from all over the world were treated to true Aussie hospitality and great competition, when they contested the World Masters Athletic Championships. Not since Brisbane in 2001 has Australia held these titles, and the Perth Organising Committee did the country proud.  Sure there were a few hiccups but in such a competition this is sure to happen.  Overall, the championships were a great success an having met up with overseas friends, their feedback was more than positive.

IBS Athletes can be so proud of themselves.  Their performances were outstanding and considering the club had a number of World Championship rookies, the results were outstanding.

What can we say about World Championship specialist, Mary Thomas?  She has shown that competition is her area, and the stronger it is, the better Mary likes it.  She had strong fields in all her events, and to come away with 1st hammer, 1st discus, 1st throws pentathlon, backed up by 2nd in weight throw, 2nd javelin, and 2nd in shot, is an awesome display of throwing.  Mary’s age bracket of 70-74 was a very strong contingent of throwers and she can be proud of herself in what has to be one of her best performances on the world stage.

June Lowe can also take a bow.  First time in the world championships and a few little nerves to go with it, June finished in 3rd spot in her age bracket 60-64 hammer, 2nd in throws pentathlon, 4th in a very close hurdles, 5th javelin, 6th in 100m, 7th discus, 6th in high jump, 7th weight throw - finishing in the top 8 of every event she contested.  What a great effort from this determined, gutsy athlete.

Lynda Douglas performed when it counted an her personal best times for both the 100m and 200m which gave her a spot in the finals of both, finishing in 8th position in both of them.  A top effort against a quality field of female sprinters.  What a run by Lynda in the 4 x100m to help her team to gold in the women’s 50 age bracket, and bringing home the team against a class USA team.

Rina Flynn will go away from her first World Championships with a lot of experience gained from contesting both the 200m (on times finished in 25th overall in the 200m and 19th in the 400m.  She will now take this experience into the upcoming Pan Pacs titles.

John Lamb was the best of the men with a brilliant win in the men’s 65-69 300m hurdles to take the gold.  His run in the 400m to take the bronze medal was a great race also.  He then backed up to finish a good 5th in the 200m against legend USA Sprinter Bill Collins. His achievements in world title events are among some of the best.  John has added two more gold being a member of the victorious Australian relay teams in the 4 x 100m and 4 x 400m to finish off a top championship.

John Van Stappen can also be proud of his achievements after a few years off the track with injury. He contested the men’s 65-69 100m to just miss the final but made amends and lined up in the final of the 200m to finish in 9th spot - a great effort on the comeback.  John also competed against the legend in Bill Collins, one of the greatest male masters sprinters of all time.

Injury forced Peter Shephard out of his final, when his achilles injury took over.  Peter ran well in his round of the 100m to move forward into the semi finals but had to not only withdraw from the next round, but the championship altogether - a great blow to a talented sprinter making his debut on the world stage.