No record: Mike Powell scratches at New Zealand long jump event
According to posted results, world-recordman Mike Powell didn’t jump Saturday at the New Zealand national championships. Local media tell why: “I can’t really walk now,” he said. “My whole left side isn’t working. I’m 51. I can still do some things, but things have to go right. It felt okay in the warmup, but in the approach run it wasn’t happening.” The story says wind was strong and rain started pelting down just as the event was set to start. “I’m disappointed for the fans, but I can’t jump,” Mike said. “This is part of life. I’m not going to stop trying to break this record.” He says he’ll be ready for another attempt in a couple of months. So his goal of an M50 best is on ice for now — as well as plans to get close to an Olympic Trials standard. Ironically, a major IAAF report was posted Friday on his quest.
16 Responses
I anticipated this and even mentioned in Ken’s blog about excuses.A failed attempt is acceptable. Excuses are not.
I’m not going to stop trying to break this record.
Breaking a world record may require more than talking to the press.
Agree with above. We all want to be like we were. I saw a lot of self promotion, trying to make a buck. Bungee jumping wasn’t too smart either.
as a 60 turning 61 an a week jumper/hurdler, i’ve had some great moments as a sub & masters,and lately,some not so … through the years i’ve encountered many who tried to mount “comebacks” i always wish them well, but invariably feel genuinely bad for them, for setting the bar too high…literally.I never stopped from my first official meet as a freshmen in hs, and my goal is to keep going until i can’t..two bad knees and a bad hip aren’t going to embarrass me…i’m extremely privileged to be a part of this wonderful sport , and will continue to encourage those who set lofty goals and congratulate those who achieve them…best wishes to all entered in nationals, do your best , but most of all have a blast…!! god bless…!!!
Vanity, talking, self-advertising, need for attention… If he continues like that, nobody will take him seriously.
If the weather was the problem, he can go to US masters indoor champ. after 2 weeks. No rain, no wind.
Respect can be paid to those masters athletes, who work hard, like crazy, every day, for many years, have ups and downs, till finally they make their dreams come true. Knowing hell and heaven. But not to people, who don’t take a risk of failure.. Only talent is not enough.
I hope that Mike continues to train and compete.
I will be 51 in a few weeks and I am jumping better than I was when I was 47 and almost as fast. Being 51 is still relatively young in the masters world, so that should not be an excuse.
I think reality hit him and he probably realized his goals were too ambitious. He should probably have been a little more lowkey about his attempts because he has added pressure with all the self-advertising. Hopefully, if he gets his mindset right and realize he is not living in his glory days, he would be better prepared to return. He did make some excuses because he could have definitely jumped at the US Masters Indoor Championship. It would tarnish his image because he wouldn’t be the only olympian that runs at that event.
oops, that’s suppose to be “wouldn’t” instead of would in the last sentence.
I hope Mike will be present at World Master Championships in Lione, during next August. Records have to made in officials Master Competitions!
I think it will difficult for you to win italian Becatti.
The unique thing about Masters Track and Field is that you train and compete to get worse! None of us can not avoid the aging process – those that are fortunate to go through it that is.
Masters sport is about embracing life and aging and being active. The physical part of the equation is not the hard part – its the mental part, exposing yourself and showing everyone your diminishing abilities and getting worse.
What is more “pure” than that?
I think he is just another former pro athlete with a big mouth and alot of attitude.
I’ve read the comments and I have a different perspective, I think. Since I come from Mike’s world (elite athletics at a very young age) I think Mike’s mindset was the same as when he competed professionally. Simply because that’s all he knows right now. His last memory of competing was when he broke the most prestigious of records in track & field history.
So, as a competitive athlete, his MIND tells him that he can obtain that type of success again. However, he simply has no concept of the changes that his body has gone through. At best, the only thing he can think to address is being overweight or fighting injuries. His entry into the masters world was a little abrupt but he will settle in.
As for self-promotion…he will always be a product of his past exploits. I know Mike pretty well and I don’t believe that he had his agent contact meet promoters to tell them that he’s coming out of retirement to break another world record. It seems more likely that he entered the meet…the meet promoter knew who he was and publicized it (it would certainly bring more people into the stands). Even though its been many years since Mike jumped almost 30 feet, he’s been able to parlay that success into speaking engagements (I’m sure for a lucrative fee). In turn, it seems the IAAF jumped on the bandwagon simply because it was a newsworthy event.
Whether he breaks the world record or not, these are the growing pains of former elite/professional athletes who enter the masters world. Mike will do fine if he decides to stay in this world.
I totally agree with Dexter! Mike Powell is a legend, and I also do not believe that he is making explanations for publicity. he is not that sort of a guy. He is speaking form the heart. The problem is he still has the mind set of a elite athlete. He needs adopt to this new environment
This is an interesting case.
There have been quite a few ex-elites that didn’t quite cash the checks that their mouth wrote. Experienced masters know well that it is often more difficult to get to the starting line than to the finish line when you make a comeback. You work out, get in pretty good shape, prepare to compete, then go to a meet specifically to set a record. The glands start working, the run up suddenly is faster, things don’t seem just right. It is raining. Even some wind. Lack of confidence, based upon lack of competition, sets in, and the result is a scratch. Fear of failure is much stronger than the joy of a potential record.
I am sure Mike will get it together and jump well. Certainly the extraordinary talent is there. He might even learn to enjoy jumping if/when he joins the masters competition rather than jumping in obscure, remote “open” meets. (Many of us have defeated college and HS athletes as masters) We would welcome him. I doubt that he will do that. He currently has a mindset that needs to adjust as mentioned above. He might also learn to respect the years of effort of all the current 51 and older masters who currently compete.
I am a MP fan and pulling for him. He has a journey ahead. It isn’t easy. Things fail. Just ask me. 🙂
Mike Powell and Willie Banks set for Japan clinic on March 29:
http://www.stripes.com/blogs/pacificsports-blog/pacific-sportsblog-1.8947/ex-us-track-stars-to-hold-clinic-at-yokota-1.335186
Mike,
Welcome to masters track. At 60, I commenced with masters after being absent from competition in the jumps at U.S.C. during the 1950’s. I know what you are going through. It took me two years of improvement to really achieve ease and total confidence, subsequently, establishing various records through my 75th year. Believe me, you have plenty of strength remaining to succeed in your age group. Do plenty of sprinting, do your pop ups, get comfortable on the runway as you stride will lengthen once more. No sweat, you will do it, but keep it private until you come back in public. You might want to speak with Willie Banks for another opinion. Good luck, I’ll pull for you!
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