Ruth Frith
Last we saw her,
Ruth Frith was winning golds and pooh-poohing attention at the 2009 World Masters Games in Sydney, Australia. That was then, when she was 100. This is now: At age 101, Queensland’s Queen Ruth upped her own world record in the W100 hammer throw, going 11.30 meters (just over 37 feet) with the 2-kilogram implement while competing October 2-4 in the throws pentathlon at the Australian Masters Athletics Winter Throws Championships in Canberra, reports
Simon Butler-White, who shared these marvelous photos by
Andrew Atkinson Howatt. My goodness. Still setting PR’s at 101! You go, old girl!
Ruth hurls the hammer at Canberra throws meet in early October.
Of course, the WMA records page doesn’t yet acknowledge Ruth’s hammer throws of 2009. Don’t get me started.
Ruth has her own style as well — the better to set records with.
9 Responses
Very well done! I hope record committees do not bother that so many flowers blossom between the grass!
Amazing.
Hmmm wonder if she’ll be in ESPN’s special Body image issue next year.
These are lovely photos. Wouldn’t anyone want to be remembered that way after they are gone? Many more active years Ruth!
Ruth you look fabulous. Good on you. And her daughter Helen Searle was also in attendance setting some new records.
I had the good fortune of participating in the 2009 Australian Winter Throws. Headed by Ray Green, Convenor, the event is held over three days. Wonderfully organized and included not only the individual throws competition and throws pentathlon but the Heavy Weight Pentathlon. This particular Pentathlon requires a thrower to toss two weights below and two above their regulation weight implement. The throwers start with the lightest and work towards the heaviest. (The event differs from the American Ultra Throws which starts with your regulation weight, jumps to your super weight, then the next three weights up.)
A few weeks later – I headed to Sydney and the World Masters Games. It was my first chance to see Ruth and Helen throw. Ruth was under incredible media attention. Imagine having to throw – being carted off to meet royalty, going back to competition, then being asked to present medals at the awards ceremony. When Stan Perkins announced who was presenting our W60-64 hammer medals – everyone went wild when Ruth – looking radiant – took center stage. For me it was a most memorable moment to have her drape the ribbon around my neck.
More information on the Winter Throws meet can be found at australianmastersathletics.org.au.
Matt B. is “spot on.”
Now THIS is how to represent masters track! GO RUTH!
Ken!
When will you finally understand this?
The “wma world record page” is nearby UNESCO World Cultural Heritage and therfore cannot be changed
Thanks for the wrap Cindy-Lea.
You forgot to mention the kangaroo!
We always have a great weekend at the AMA Winter Throwing Championships.
This year 61 throwers had fun doing what they love!
Cheers to all.
Results, meet report & photos are available at: http://www.australianmastersathletics.org.au/past-results/ama-winter-throws-2010/
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