Irene Obera, Aussie Jamieson named WMA Best Masters of 2016
Andrew Jamieson
Irene, shown in Perth, is oldest Best Master ever at 83. Photo by Rob Jerome
Here are some records Andrew set in 2016:
M70 20k Road Walk Andrew Jamieson Vic 1:52:36 93.6% 26-6-16 Middle Park
M70 10k Road Walk Andrew Jamieson Vic 53:16 96.6% 23-7-16 Middle Park
Here are Irene’s records for 2016:
10/28/2016 Obera, Irene W80 Heptathlon 6071* Out Approved WMA Champs
11/4/2016 Obera, Irene W80 80 HH 18.70* Out Approved WMA Champs
Irene’s world meet:
Irene Obera 100m Gold
Irene Obera Hept. Gold, World Record; also WR in SH
Irene Obera 200m Gold
Irene Obera 200mLH Gold
Irene Obera SH Gold, World Record
Irene Obera Long Jump Gold
Irene Obera Triple Jump Silver
Irene Obera 4×100 Silver
Irene Obera 4 x 100 Gold
Irene Obera 4 x 400 GoldIrene Obera High Jump Bronze
19 Responses
Irene actually won two relay gold medals in Perth, so her total haul was eight gold, ten total at the WMAs. And yes, she is focusing on her tennis game this year, but expects to keep running for a while longer. She turned 83 last month, just weeks after the Perth meet ended.
Very richly deserved. Few people deserve the title “legend”. Irene does.
What’s truly remarkable is how many events Irene started at a later age. Everyone knows that she is one of the greatest sprinters in Masters history. But Irene took up some of her other events in just the last few years. A tribute to her coach, Alan Kolling, and to Irene’s own athletic spirit. Inspirational.
It’s been a great honor to photograph Irene over the years. Being down on the field and being able to observe close up Irene’s skills, composure and grace under pressure have left me with some very special memories.
Shouting out: YOU DESERVE IT, happy to be your friend and rival. Now, if you learn how to throw a javelin – so it lands fair – you will have to fight me!
AND: IF you talk me into running a 4×4 ONE more time,
you better start asking EARLY, so I can put my
mind to it, and my legs!
Congratulations, Irene. You had an amazing year, and deserved it.
Yes! Congrats Irene! It has been a joy and an honor watching you succeed and excel in multiple events. Have fun with tennis but hurry back to us at the track.
And congrats to Alan. He’s a terrific coach.
Some people like the photos, while others like the numbers. I like both. Irene Obera (who ran at Perth as an 82-year-old), is the best ever. I should know, as I have seen them all.
Look at the photo of Irene; notice the stride length, the body carriage. The word “remarkable” does not do her justice. Think of terms like “quantum leap,” “a new dimension,” “unparalleled in history.”
In March 2014 I announced Irene in the USATF Indoor Masters in Boston. On the second day of the meet she set a world indoor W80 mark of 10.37 seconds in the 60 dash (the record still stands). The next day she came out for the 200, and I knew that something remarkable was going to happen.
The W80 American indoor 200 mark at that time, according to my best recollection, was 48 and change by the legendary Hall of Famer Pat Peterson. Surely that record was in jeopardy.
Irene got out strongly and kept on motoring, and I knew that history was being made. The “Greatest Ever” stormed around the Reggie Lewis oval in 36.53 seconds; it was mind-boggling. Yes, that remains the W80 American (and world) indoor record.
I have spent well over half my life in masters track and field: Irene Obera is the best.
picture is morotti , not Jamieson !
Top five men and women listed here:
https://www.world-masters-athletics.org/2016aoy.htm
My congrats to both athletes, Irene, you have always been a superstar and this award for you is long over due. I have always looked up to you and followed your career for as long as I have been in the sports.The times we have spent together has always been uplifting. I look forward to seeing you in 2017 your are the greatest.
Thanks for heads up, Tardi! I replaced with correct photo.
USATF reports honor but not in headline:
http://www.usatf.org/News/News-and-Notes—Jan–5,-2016.aspx
Obera age 83 2017:
100: 17.0 wind legal Age performance: 107.76%
200: 37.0 = 106.41%
Men 200 meters:
Age 83 potential: 30.5 = 106.46%
29.54- 2012 (current world record at age 81) = 105.15%
Age 85 200 WR 31.95 = 106.42%
%s seem a bit high. Amazing performances but maybe subtract 8-9%.
Would have expected more coverage from USATF than a short mention in News and Notes. Winners of Masters AOY used to get a trip to Montecarlo to be honored. Now, not even a headline or a photo.
What do others think?
About those percentages over 100%: The age grading design mostly is ‘data driven’, that is that existing records are taken, the best ones are chosen and a line through them is drawn. You cannot predict how fast upcoming athletes will be, especially in the higher age groups. And so, athletes of Irene’s quality will go over 100% and the next revision will be done with Irene’s records as part of the data.
It is possible to update age gradings as soon as someone goes over 100%, but I think it is wise to wait. The last big revision was in 2010, a minor one in 2014. I would say that once per decade would be wise.
Since Irene isnt online very often I have shared the many kind comments here with her. She really feels this is “a dream come true” and however much she might have hoped for it, never expected it or took the award for granted. So Thanks, Rob, Omi, Christa, Rita, Bill, and Peter, on her behalf. We are SO grateful for the support she has received in recent years, and Irene has relished the new challenges I have suggested she try. We knew that some events she would never win, but she had “retired” before when the sprint victories came easily, so why not try the multi-events, HJ or TJ where Christel and Flo have been so dominant for years?
And to Christa and Rita, Irene is thrilled to have followed in your footsteps. We look forward to a great 2017 for you both, with the aches and pains hopefully behind you. Rob and Peter, your support and friendship mean a great deal to Irene!
One other thing: the WMA will recognize the AOY awardees sometime at the Indoor Worlds in Daegu. Bill, we are sorry you wont be there. Your performances in Perth were epic and inspirational.
Much appreciation is due to Stan Perkins and the WMA for honoring Irene and her co-awardee Andrew in Daegu now that Masters AOYs are no longer invited to the yearly awards ceremony in Montecarlo.
And thank you, Alan, for your eloquent words of gratitude for the support that many have given Irene.
In addition to the wonderful comments Irene has received here from past AOYs, I have been astounded at the response Irene has gotten to my posting on Facebook announcing her award accompanied by photos of her triumphs in Perth.
Irene’s award has touched so many people beyond the Masters community. There have been Facebook comments by people who were students of Irene in the Berkeley school district decades ago who have remarked what an impact Irene had on their lives. There have been comments by total strangers saying that Irene’s victory has inspired them to overcome particular obstacles in their lives.
Irene’s story is more than about Masters; she is linked to the Open greats like Olympian Wilma Rudolph against whom she competed in the 1960s and who offered her words of advice that Irene has employed to this day.
In fact, Irene’s story is more than about track and field. Because she is so skilled, it is easy to forget that Irene is 83 years old.
Her story is really about successful aging…about taking on new challenges at an advanced age, about not giving up and maintaining excellence.
If the mainstream media could ever recognize the significance of Masters as metaphor, I think we would see more coverage of Masters stories like Irene’s.
Ageism is rampant in our society, and frankly, the general populace expects little of 83-year-olds. Irene’s story shatters this stereotypical thinking.
Irene’s story asks the question: If an an 83-year-old can be the best Masters athlete in the world, what OTHER things might older people be able to do at a level of excellence that society does not expect of them?
Thank you, Irene, for shaking up the way people think about aging.
Yes, a huge congratulations to Irene, as well as to
Marie Kay (AUS) / W56 Heptathlon, Long Jump, Javelin who was listed second on the 2016 top five World Women’s list.
Especially as the last I saw of Marie was being carried off the track after a nasty High Jump pulled hamstring or something at our own 2016 March Indoor Championships in ABQ. Darn fine recovery!
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