Adam Nelson at 40 thinks he’ll knock off Brian Oldfield’s M40 WR

See Adam's WR vow.

See Adam’s WR vow.

Adam Nelson, the veteran world-champion thrower, told Track & Field News recently that he’s shooting for the M40 world record in the shot put: “I checked and saw the masters world record is only 21.41 (70-3),” he said of the 30-year-old mark by Brian Oldfield. “That’s not too far off what I think I’m capable of doing. … I still think there’s an opportunity to be strong and fit and healthy at 40. So I figured I’d start off by breaking the world record for 40-year-olds.” Adam, who supposedly retired three years ago, also hopes to be in shape for a run at the 2016 Rio Games. If anyone has a shot at Brian’s legendary mark, it’s Adam. He says he’s in 68-foot shape now, having started training a few months ago. But 70-3 won’t be easy.

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September 14, 2015

5 Responses

  1. Ken Stone - September 14, 2015

    Posted on behalf of David E. Ortman (M62), Seattle, WA

    Best of luck to Adam with the M40 SP WR. But can he match Oldfield’s double of “putting” the shot over 70 feet AND high jumping seven feet? Not at the same time of course, but still.

    Here is an old clip of Oldfield dunking a shot put through a basketball hoop.

    http://www.throwers.tv/brian-oldfield-shot-put-dunk-and-technique-video_7bf46fe87.html

  2. mike walker - September 14, 2015

    I saw Oldfield jump 7′ and it was impressive. Thought that he was kidding when he entered the HJ but he had great spring. He was also a decent long jumper and sprinter.

  3. Terry Parks - September 14, 2015

    I wish Adam the best of luck. I will add this quest to the yet to be broken Long Jump record by Mike Powell, and the 400 meter record that Butch Reynolds was going to break.

    I am not saying that they can’t do it, but doing so will probably require more work than they thought.

  4. Barry Warmerdam - September 15, 2015

    Well, it’s nice to have a goal so give it a shot (no pun intended).
    But, as Nelson says of the current M40 world record later in the interview, “It’s a pretty legit throw. 21.41 is no joke.”
    Agreed. I don’t think masters world records are any easier to break than elite world records. They just look that way until you try to beat them…

  5. Marcus battle - September 17, 2015

    Wow I hope he comes to masters meets,James Becford,won in France and so did Sam okanty

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