All hail Stanislaw Kowalski — oldest track athlete in human history

John Whittemore was oldest tracko until this week.

John Whittemore was six weeks short of 105 when I saw him set an M100 javelin record in Santa Barbara in 2004. Until this week, I considered him the oldest track athlete in history. No more. Stanislaw Kowalski has set a new standard, taking M100 golds in at least three events at the European Masters Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland. He’s three weeks shy of 105. (His DOB is April 14, 1910.) If he competes after the Ides of April, he’ll be the only M105 track athlete on Earth. (But WMA doesn’t have an M105 age group. Sigh.)

Stan’s marks at the Eurovets meet:

  • 60 meters in 20.27 (short of his own WR of 19.72)
  • 3.65 (11-11 3/4) in the shot (short of Everett Hosack’s WR of 3.66)
  • And 7.14 (23-5 1/4) in the outdoors discus

The meet ends Saturday, so look for more marks.

But a final shout-out to Mr. Whittemore. Here’s what I wrote a decade ago:

A year ago, about five weeks short of his 105th birthday, Whittemore set a world M100 javelin record with a toss of 11 feet, 2 inches. It was the last of at least eight age-group world records he set, according to an article that appeared in the sports section of the Santa Barbara News-Press on April 21, 2005. (No death notice was published; and no funeral or memorial service was held.)

At that October 2004 meet, a proud John Whittemore refused help in getting to the throwing area. It took him 45 minutes to walk the 100 yards from the car to the competition area, according to press accounts. Afterward, he allowed some students to carry him back to the car.

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March 26, 2015

6 Responses

  1. Tom Phillips - March 27, 2015

    I hate to rain on anyone’s parade, but as usual, the media -sporting and non-sporting, descended on ToruÅ„ to see this guy, then, predictably, all disappeared as soon as they’d done with him. Again.

  2. Weia Reinboud - March 27, 2015

    As soon as he turns 105 the M105 age group exists. WMA has no intention to prevent that, ask them.

  3. Joseph Burleson - March 27, 2015

    The inimitable Australian thrower, Ruth Frith, died just 6 months shy of her 105th birthday, and was quoted as looking forward to some 105-109 records. She was a fearless and dedicated athlete, a unique and magnificent positive symbol of Australian masters T&F, as well as a delightful cheerleader and entertainer during competitions.

  4. Mary Harada - March 27, 2015

    Of course the media disappears after making a big show out of the oldest competitor – they are just there to get eyeballs for their employers. I hate the way they treat the oldest athletes – like a freak show.
    I suppose a bit of coverage is better than none at all. When it is done respectfully it is fine – when it is not -then throw the bums out.

  5. Matt B. - March 27, 2015

    http://www.fidalservizi.it/risultati/Torun2015/Day2421.htm
    200WR M95
    Wonder if the M45 will fall tonight?

  6. Matt B. - March 27, 2015

    There you go:
    M45 INDOOR 200 WR: 22.52
    http://www.fidalservizi.it/risultati/Torun2015/Day0423.htm

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