Whilst our senior and junior athletes battled it out in Australian titles, our masters’ athletes battled with the rest of world in South Korea. Competing in the World Masters Indoor Championships, once again the three athletes did themselves and their club proud. Sprinter Lynda Douglas ran her debut indoor race over 60m in a gusty finish to take out her first indoor placing of 3rd in a time of 8.71. Lynda contested the women’s 54-59 age bracket.
She followed this up with a good 4th spot in the 200m in a time of 29.52. A silver medal in the women’s Aussie relay team capped a top championship for her.
Contesting the 50-54 age bracket Gianna Mogentale was just edged out for 3rd (4th spot) over 60m in a time of 8.46, then backed this up with a 5th spot in the 200m in 28.30. But her 400m was the impressive run to bring home the bronze medal in a hard fought competitive race. Gianna’s time was 65.01. She then teamed with a very good Australian team to take out the gold medal in the 4 x 200m. Both girls competed well and their performances on the indoor track are a credit to them considering this is the only time they have to compete indoors against athletes from around the world who are competing indoors on a regular basis.
What we can say about Mary Thomas, many say getting better with age. Mary is one of the most competitive athletes I know and age does not deter her when it comes to a major meet. Competing in the 70-74 age bracket, she thrives on competition and her five gold medals justifies this. She took gold in the hammer (28.36m), gold in javelin (21.29m), gold in discus (22.53m) gold in weight throw (10.34m) and gold in the shot with 8.08m to give her a highly successful championship.
Masters athletes will now have to wait till June for their own Australian titles, due to the event being held in Darwin. This gives the masters’ athletes one of the longest summer seasons they have had for some time.
IBS are reminded you will receive notification of the annual awards and presentation evening and also the AGM along with the winter track and field series and cross country activities.
For more information about the winter activities, please phone 4262 8498.