Age-group PRs for Canadian pair also equate to world records
Canadian superstars Christa Bortignon and pal Olga Kotelko opened their season with a pair of world records over the weekend in Kamloops, British Columbia. On Feb. 16, 93-year-old Olga upped her own high jump indoor WR to 0.77 (2-6 1/4) from 0.76 (2-6) and 76-year-old Christa went 7.54 (24-9) to beat her own triple jump WR of 7.43 (24-4 1/2). The meet was the Van Ryswyk Invitational. (See complete results.) Also notable was the return to competition for long-sprint legend Harold Morioka. He’s now 70. He entered the shot, where he tossed the 4-kilo ball 10.06 (33-0 1/4), but scratched from the 200 and 400. In 2009, Harold had quadruple-bypass heart surgery.
Besides being gifted, Christa (shown with TJ WR) has the advantage of being coached by world champ and WR-holder Harold Morioka.
I asked Christa about her track plans for 2013, and she graciously replied:
For the indoor meets, I have registered with both the Canadian and the USA Championships.
For the summer, I plan to go Turin (World Masters Games) and Brazil (WMA worlds).
Also there is a brand new meet in Germany for multi events on June 1-2 in Stendal,The Stendal Hansa Cup.
Other meets I am considering are: Hayward Classic, Canadian Championships in Regina, USA Championships in Olathe, San Diego Senior Games, Senior World Games in St. George.
Locally there are the BC Championships, the Trevor Craven Memorial and the BC Senior Games.
Wishing that I stay healthy I would like to participate in all.
Well then. Pace yourself, Christa. You have a lot on your plate! Best of luck, and congrats to you and Olga on your latest records.
Olga and Harold pose with her WR indoor high jump record for W90.
8 Responses
Harold…you are the legend!!! Welcome back my friend….
Harold IS a legend! He has all kinds of Hayward Classic records, and then some! Nice to finally put a face to a name I’ve heard for many years. Welcome back Harold! And nice job ladies!!!
Great to see that Harold is back. A fantastic runner from the 100-800 and now throwing the shot.
Is it kind of people that we say “Superman”.
It is a fantastic story.
Back in the day, Harold was one of the most exciting runners we had in the masters game. And who else have we had who could burn a 60 like nobody’s business while being a superstar in the 800? And Harold was fearless — nothing conservative for him.
Peter there are few who worked as hard at the masters game as Harold has done.
That excitment came from a “I think I can do that” attitude followed up with a huge desire and effort.
Harold didn’t come up through the ranks as a runner or sprinter. In fact I think his first race was against much younger and well known university athletes. His wife put her hands over her eyes fearfull he was totally going to embarrass himself.
You can guess the results!
I can’t think of too many other athletes I rather sit down with over coffee. In many ways he has given back as much as he took from the sport. His name is synonymous with masters athletes in Canada
And Olga, the oldest women ever to do the high jump, nearly 94.
Harold (and Christa and Olga):
Great effort in Kamloops! Let fazer algum barulho em Porto Alegre este ano!
-bom suerte, Grantito
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