Daniel Alonzo’s age aberration: 42 in 2009 results but 49 today

Javelin star's age is a real head-scratcher.

In 1996, Daniel Alonzo set the Dominican Republic’s national record in the javelin. According to his IAAF bio, Daniel threw the pointy stick 70.80 meters (229-8) when he was 35. His Dominican record still stands, says his national federation. Fourteen years later, a Daniel Alonzo now competes in masters meets — as a 49-year-old American. Cool. Daniel’s stat page in USATF masters rankings shows his 59.00 (193-7) throw at last month’s Queen City meet at Charlotte as the No. 2 mark in the M45 age group this year — behind only Olympian Roald Bradstock. And mastersathletics.net lists Daniel’s 59.69 in 2009 among the top 30 M45 javelinists of all time. But extensive documentation suggests that Daniel wasn’t 35 in 1996 — and isn’t 49 today.

According to results of the May 22 Queen City meet, Daniel is 43.

According to results of the Furman University Masters Track Classic in May 2009, Daniel was 42 at that time.

According to results from the August 2003 State Games of America, Daniel was 35 at that time.

According to results of the 2002 Empire State Games, Daniel won the open division of the men’s javelin. He isn’t listed as competing in the masters javelin.

According to world masters rankings in 2000, Daniel threw in the M30 age group. Ditto for U.S. rankings that year in National Masters News.

According to results of the 1999 USATF Eastern Masters Regionals, Daniel was 32 at that time.

Daniel apparently belongs to the Carolinas Track & Field Club. Last year, he was hailed in the club newsletter:

New member Daniel Alonzo M45 is second (to a former Olympian) with an impressive javelin throw of 59.69m (that’s 195.83 feet!).

But a June 2003 article about the Bob Roggy Memorial javelin event at the Holmdel Invitational quoted entrant Alonzo:

Roggy would have proud of the 38-year-old’s dedication to the javelin. Alonzo injured his back during the winter and friends were telling him it was time to hang it up. “The javelin is my life,” said Alonzo who does his training at Cook Field in Yonkers. “I want to qualify for the Pan-American Games. I have to throw 72 meters and I think I’ll get there.”

Yes, 38 in 2003. So how could he be 49 today — as the IAAF, mastersrankings.com, mastersathletics.net and his own club insist?

John Seto, chairman of the USATF Masters Rankings Committee, says he’s looking into this.

Anyone know how to contact Mr. Alonzo?

While we wait for Daniel to clarify his DOB, here’s a real 48-year-old in action:

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June 9, 2010

6 Responses

  1. pino pilotto - June 9, 2010

    Come on, Ken
    It is not so complicated!
    You don’t know the Daniel Alonzo Javelin-Brothers?
    According to your list we have only 10 Daniel Alonzo
    No 1 is born in 1961;
    No 2, 4 and 8 are born in 1967, they are triplets;
    No 3 and 9 are born from 1960-1964, twins;
    No 6 and 7 are unborn Masters, twins;
    No 5 is born in 1968;
    No 10 is born in 1965.
    But this are only the Daniel Alonzo, javelin, from USA and Dominican Republic.
    Where are the Daniel Alonzo Javelin-Brothers from Australia, Europe, Asia…?

  2. Tom Phillips - June 9, 2010

    Pino,

    Last I heard, one had moved to the USA and the other was hiding up in the Dominican Republic.

    Tom

  3. Dave - May 26, 2011

    Daniel just threw for the first time as a year old ? http://www.mastersrankings.com/rankings.php?pevent=JAVELIN THROW (700 g)&sort=Desc&sex=Men&pseason=Outdoor&cyear=2011

  4. Dave - May 26, 2011

    Daniel just threw for the first time as a 50 year old ? http://www.mastersrankings.com/rankings.php?pevent=JAVELIN THROW (700 g)&sort=Desc&sex=Men&pseason=Outdoor&cyear=2011

  5. Chuck Greene - July 24, 2011

    A. I don’t know Daniel Alonzo’s age.

    B. I do know that Daniel Alonzo is currently ranked #1 among US (age-50) javelin throwers (July, 2011).

    C. I also know that Daniel Alonzo is listed as an accepted entry in the (age-40) competition at the Masters National Championships (July 28-31, 2011.

    D. Does anyone know what’s going on here?

  6. Dennis - July 27, 2011

    Daniel Alonzo is between 40-45 is all I can say. He doesn’t like giving out his exact age because he rather people see him for his marks rather then age. For example, if his throws are bad, people will think it’s his age first rather then he should be training harder. Also his age is messed up in the records due to miscommunications in the past and messed up paper work.

    Not sure if that makes sense to everyone. Anyway his real age is confirmed with USA Track & Field. I know all this because I’m his son. If you’d like to know anything else about him or ask him any question feel free to send him an email at dsajavelin@yahoo.com

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