Roald Bradstock a year away from 50, and London Olympic Trials
Ex-Brit javelin thrower Roald Bradstock writes: “Six days ago I turned 49 and (this week) it will be the 25th anniversary of when I became the first person to break the 80-meter barrier with a world record of 81.74m / 268ft 2 inches way back on May 5, 1986. To celebrate both occasions I decided to throw today in my first competition as a 49-year-old at the Radford Highlander Invitational in Virginia. The result: I won the meet with 70.30m/ 230-7 and set a new world age record for a 49-year-old in the process. Unfortunately the conditions weren’t great—very little wind—but this is now my fifth competition over 70 meters this year. With the right wind all the signs are there for a throw in the mid-70-meter range!” The “B” standard for the London Games is 79.50 meters, so Roald is gonna be short. But what a kick to see him in the Trials again!
Roald aims to compete in the British Olympic Trials at 50. Goal: Beat the kids!
Roald continues:
My next scheduled meet will be at the Tuscon Elite Throwers Classic in three weeks which is where I set my world record in 1986 and also where I threw my life time best – 83.84m / 275ft 1 inch – the following year in 1987. Should be fun!
As I chase the perfect conditions – i.e. the perfect “wind” – to get my really, really big throw, it was very sobering as I drove the the 800 mile round trip through Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia and yesterday for the competition at Radford University. As you may have heard on the news three nights ago we had some of the worst storms and tornadoes in U.S. history in decades. I saw firsthand the devastation that these twisters did in all three States. The first was only 20 miles from where I live. I attached a couple of photos from a spot in Virginia that I pasted through where a twister had hit a truckers rest spot. There where about a 100 tractor-trailers crumpled together on one side of the parking lot – unbelievable – several of them where slung across the freeway!
2 Responses
In a year from now, I wonder what the M50 record will be. Congrats Roald on another outstanding record throw. Hope you catch favorable conditions and a 80m throw.
If I have anything to do with it the M50 WR will be a lot more than it is at present.
🙂
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