Riccione champion Ralph Fruguglietti on the comeback trail
Ralph Fruguglietti, M50 gold medalist at Riccione worlds, will try to defend his discus title in Lahti, Finland. But like Al Oerter in his Olympic odyssey, Ralph may be throwing hurt. He’s not making excuses, mind you. But last year was a nightmare, he admits, “with a separated calf muscle in February and after rehab and improving to 57.62 (189-0) in July I pulled a groin muscle in my right leg which resulted in a horrendous performance at (Spokane) nationals. I probably should not have gone. But competition aside, I had a great time with throwing friends John Nespoli, Mike Shiaras and Ron Summers. That’s the nice side of masters competition . . . you get to hang out with some great people who share the same passion for throwing.â€
After writing about M50 novice/phenom Ed Riewerts, I was reminded that Ralph also was still in the Oerter record chase. So I wrote to Ralph up in central California to see how he was doing.
He replied: “It seems to me that when it comes to masters track, ‘he who avoids injury . . . wins’ !â€
Further, Ralph wrote:
After the 2008 season ended, I did rehab on the groin, including acupuncture, and eventually began training for Lahti. Due to the groin rehab, I started training late and I did not have my first competition until two weeks ago. I threw 55.73 (182-10) in Salinas on 5/20 and then three days later threw 55.02 (180-6) at the Southern California Striders meet.
I was pretty happy with the marks, especially at the Striders meet, considering we got ready to throw at 1 p.m. and due to some scheduling conflict we did not throw till 5:30 p.m. on a slick ring with dead air. That meet will get you prepared for any competitive situation. Then unfortunately, six days later I had to have hemorrhoid surgery.
The good news is I had the surgery because the surgeon said the recovery would be two weeks and not five to six weeks with other treatments. So my hopes are that I will not be affected too much in the ring to be able to compete at a high level in Lahti.
Ralph says that if he’s doing well in a couple of weeks, “you might see me at (Oshkosh) nationals. I would still like to have a few high-quality meets before Finland. One thing is for sure: Never count masters athletes out!â€
No chance of that, Ralph. Longtime readers know Ralph has a special place in my blogger heart. He provided one of the most incredible stories of all time.
Some days before his discus final at Riccione, he got some critical tips from a mysterious man, who vanished like a ghost. Maybe a dead Olympic champ! If you haven’t read this mystery story, start with this account.
Then leap ahead to this amazing resolution.
What can Ralph do to top Riccione? Stay tuned.
Never count Ralph out.
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7 Responses
Ken- thanks for another fine article on a Masters discus thrower!
Ralph- it’s good to see you getting back into form. I enjoyed throwing with you last year at Spokane. I’m leaving now to head for our Texas Throwers Invite. Hopefully we’ll post some good marks in the 103 expected heat. Staying healthy is the trick. I strained my groin Tuesday!
Throw far!
Marty
Thanks also to Ken for article on Ralph.
Marty good to see your name again. Great group of throwers in the 50-54. Hope to see you all in WI.
I’m down as well with back problems. Throwing is hard after 50 but like Ralph throw hard or don’t throw!!
Hey Randy, I’ve thought of you a few times and keep meaning to write. Will you be at the Senior Games? I signed up, but have not made flight arrangements. Waiting just a little longer to make sure I’ll be healthy (if one can be sure!). I’ll probably pass on WI. Hope to see you and others (Ralph?) at Stanford in Aug.
Best! Marty
Ken thanks for a great article. I’m not going to make it to Osh-Gosh but am really looking forward to meeting you and Ralph one of these days.
Ralph all the best to you in your training and the meet in Finland.
Hey Ken. Good article on Ralph. I hope I get to meet him someday before I quit. I certainly understand the health problems and injuries that throwers have to deal with. And the older we get, the more we deal with it. I have some heart trouble that limits my performance and my left knee needs to be replaced. Thats just added to all the other things that come with old age. But I love to throw the discus and will do so as long as I can. John Nespoli told me about Ralph’s injury at Spokane last year. I knew it had to be something like that. This guy throws great every year. I wish him all the luck in the world and the same to Ed Rewierts when they meet.
Steve Patridge
Thank you all for the nice comments. Steve, you are right about injuries being a part of getting older…30 years ago the injury would have never happened and if it did you would bounce back in half the time. Irregardless we trudge on because this is what we do…we love to compete, we love to train, we love to watch metal objects fly…far!!
So the good news today was from my surgeon who released me to start throwing next week…I feel energized.
Ed congratulations on doing so well, it sounds like you are with a good group of Texas Throwers!!! That always makes it more fun when you can share the throwing experience with some good friends and maybe a Lonestar beer or two.
Marty, congrats on your mark at the Texas Thrower’s meet…it appears to be a PR.
Hope to meet all of you some day.
See you in the ring,
Ralph
Hey Ralph,
It’s Lindsey (Lorraine’s lil sis). I ran accross your website while looking for something else, so I thought I would say Hello.
Glad to see you back doing what you enjoyed so much in high school. Competing in discuss.
Lindsey Santini (Meek)
LSM7@PGE.COM
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