Archive for September, 2014

Why are Japanese newspapers not identifying M116 sprinter?

Gotta give credit to Yomiuri Shimbun, another major Japanese newspaper. Its own story about the “116-year-old” sprinter entered at Asian WMA regionals showed some healthy skepticism. But it quoted the president of the Asia Masters Athletics as saying: “But there might really be a 116-year-old person in India.” Whatever. But at least we learn the […]

September 10, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  One Comment

Dutch masters nationals? Results posted on Netherlands site

I’m not sure if this is Dutch masters nationals, but results here look pretty solid. The headline, translated, reads: “Final Masters competition 2014.” The text above results links reads: “The results of women’s javelin throw is not in the results file. I can not for export. Them from the software along The outcome of javelin […]

September 9, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Nations totaling 3 billion set for Asian WMA regionals in Japan

A recent story about a W60 Philippine star (“javelin queen Erlinda Lavandia”) prepping for WMA’s Asian regional meet shares info of nations entering: “Other countries to be present during the 18th AMAC will include Uzbekistan, Brunei, Indonesia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, China, India, Iran, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Japan, Hong Kong, and Chinese Taipei.” […]

September 8, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Peter Hlavin wins international bronze medal — as visual artist

The National Art Museum of Sport this week announced awards for the 4th Annual International Fine Art Competition, called Commitment to Excellence in Art & Sport. Medals for 2D works were awarded, including a bronze to Peter Hlavin of Aliso Viejo, California. Yes, that’s our Peter Hlavin, the former M55 American record-holder in the high […]

September 7, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Dedicated to Randy: First 28 issues of NMN are now posted

As noted, Randy Sturgeon gave the USATF Historical Archive Committee permission to post complete early issues of National Masters News. Today the first 28 issues of this pivotal publication appeared on mastershistory.org. They are color, searchable PDFs. That means if your name was in the paper between the summer of 1977 and December 1980, you’ll […]

September 6, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  7 Comments

Randy Sturgeon dies at 62; coach published NMN for 7 years

Randy Sturgeon, who bought National Masters News in November 2006 and gave it up last January amid a cancer fight, died with dignity and courage about 5 a.m. Thursday. NMN’s current owners followed Facebook postings with an email that said: “It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the news of Randy Sturgeon’s […]

September 6, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  14 Comments

No age limit on hoaxes: ‘116-year-old’ sprinter back in the news

If track and field is ageless, then so is the hunger for attention. Remember Dharmapal Gujjar — the skinny sprinter claiming to be 116? Well, he’s baaaccck. Otherwise reputable Japanese mega-newspaper Asahi Shimbun reports (without using his name) that DG has entered the Asian Masters Athletics Championships in Kitikami City, Japan. The credulous headline: “At […]

September 6, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  No Comments

Eurovets become Euromasters, finally righting a 40-year-old wrong

In 1975, the vote was tied: What would they call the worldwide adult age-group governing body? “Masters” and “Veterans” had equal votes. So the tie was broken by a Brit: presiding chairman Jack Fitzgerald of The Association of Veteran Athletes. That’s how WAVA came to be. Later, they thought better of it (worried that “veterans” […]

September 4, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  4 Comments

Indian masters medalists can win mega-rupees at WMA meets

Yowza! Medal-winners at major WMA meets can earn paychecks — at least those from the northern Indian state of Haryana. According to the Times of India, “The government has also increased the cash awards for medallists in Asian Masters Athletics Championship and World Masters Athletic Championships. … The cash award for medal winners … has […]

September 3, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  5 Comments

WMA has a year to create 105-and-over age group — or else

M100 isn’t what she used to be. Hidekichi “Golden Bolt” Miyazaki, 103, of Japan is challenging Usain Bolt to a race in 2015 and planning an assault on the record books. Only one problem: WMA affords him no opportunity to set records when he’s 105. As I’ve noted, WMA age groups end at M100 and […]

September 2, 2014   Posted in: Uncategorized  10 Comments