Doug Torbert claims M65 world indoor shot record at AF Academy

Dave Albo photo of Doug.

As an M60 four years ago, Quenton “Doug” Torbert of California began setting masters shot records. He notched the listed American indoor and outdoor records of 16.25 (53-3 3/4) and 16.69 (54-9 1/4), respectively. Those were with the 5-kilo shot (almost as heavy as the prep implement). On Sunday, he claimed his first world record — M65 shot (still 5-kilos) with a 15.83 (51-11 1/4) at the Mid-America indoor meet at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Results haven’t been posted, but I got several confirmations of the mark, which breaks the listed AR of 14.98 (49-1¾) by Glen Johnson in 2006 and the listed WR of 15.69 (51-5 3/5) by Germany’s Kurt Goldschmidt in 2009. The listed outdoor WR is Kurt’s 15.90 (52-2), so Doug is within inches. And the season is young. I wrote to Doug for details on the meet. (Here’s my Q&A with him in 2013.)

Here’s how Doug (graciously, of course) answered a batch of questions:

Breaking the world indoor record was a combination of elation and relief. The 15.83m was about what I’ve been throwing lately, so I did have an expectation of at least breaking the American record as well as having a good chance at the indoor world record.

Because of that expectation, I felt a sense relief when my first throw actually broke the record. The truth is that I had sort of an off day with most of the throws in the mid-15s so I’m looking forward to upcoming meets. I think I have a real shot at improving the mark.

The Colorado indoor meet at the Air Force Academy is a terrific meet that I have traveled to the last four years, so it was great to break the record there. My high school track mate Dave Tucker and the other Colorado throwers have a real camaraderie and were very happy for me. It was great to share the moment with them.

I also benefited from the coaching experience of world champion Bill Harvey, who was there, and Tim Edwards, who shared some tips for mental preparation.

I’m training like I usually do with the goal of peaking for the national indoor meet in Albuquerque, so I was pretty strong in Colorado. I’m also healthy after having wrist and forearm injuries most of last year.

It definitely feels great to get a world record, which was an impossibility in the M60 division (Liedtke factor). I’m going to focus now on improving the mark, getting the outdoor record, and maybe even being the oldest 16-meter (52-6) thrower.

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February 8, 2017

7 Responses

  1. SusieQ - February 9, 2017

    Well done!

  2. Jim Patterson - February 9, 2017

    Congratulations!

  3. Christel Donley - February 9, 2017

    The throwers are a unique “bunch”.
    “Fun, games”, and records, to top it off.

    Bill Harvey, the coach ( I should know, worked with him/for him, for 20 yrs…) will always be of help/advise ..Doug listens and everybody is happy, incl. the officials …..
    What would that meet be without Tim Edward’s wealth of implements for everybody to use!
    Thanks, Tim.

  4. Tim Muller - February 9, 2017

    Congrats to a great champion! I knew it was coming as soon as he “graduated” to the M65 group!

  5. Joe Kessell - February 10, 2017

    Hands down the BEST age group shot-putter in many many years.

    And he just may do it again in New Mexico at the Indoor Nationals.

    Keep it up and throw FAR!

  6. Ken Stone - February 15, 2017

    Meet results are here:
    http://masterstrack.com/wp-content/uploads/Colo-Assn-Mid-Amer-Masters-Indoor-Results-2-5-17.pdf

  7. tb - April 30, 2017

    He crushed the outdoor WR by three feet today in Hayward

    http://www.haywardclassic.org/2017Results.pdf

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