Ruth Frith poised to make masters history in Sydney WMG
Prediction: Ruth Frith will kick arse in Sydney. And she’ll get even more attention at the World Masters Games than 101-year-old Alfred Proksch got in Lahti. Ruth speaks Strine (understandable to many in the English-speaking world), and she has a sharp tongue. But beyond the records she’ll certainly set in the throws, she’ll be a pioneer in a previously absent age group — centenarian women. (She turned 100 in late August.) I’ve been following Ruth for some time, awaiting the day she shatters the WMA’s W100 ceiling. In recent months, she’s been on a tear — news-wise. She’s featured on YouTube. She gave a hootin’ hilarious interview with John Taylor. She was profiled in Woman’s Day magazine. She already holds about a dozen WMA world records. But this Brisbane superstar will set a bunch at Sydney — spurred on by her Canadian friend Olga Kotelko. Just wish Ruth and Alfred could hook up!
Ruthie, please don’t clobber me for using this shot by Greg Wood of AFP.
Later update, thanks to discovery of Ruth’s results from her W100 birthday competition:
Ruth set six world records in the course of a weight pentathlon on August 23, 2009:
Note the off-the-charts score of 11,671; also, Helen Searle is Ruth’s daughter!
7 Responses
I say, nominate her WMA athlete of the year or century with all those world records! That 100-104 age group is the toughest division for competitive athletes in my book. You go Ruthie!
Ken,
That is a simply stunning photo. Greg Wood is one of my favorites. His work often appears in the on-line galleries for Britain’s Guardian newspaper, and are a great source of inspiration. There’s more of his work at http://portfolios.afp.com/photographer/greg-wood.html
Tom
The latest newsletter for Queensland Masters Athletics documents SIX world records by Ruth since she turned 100!
Do a search for ‘Ruth Frith’ in this PDF document:
http://www.masterstrack.com/news2009/sepoct2009.pdf
I love The Photo
a role model for those of us who think that we are getting to the age where we should pack it and take up knitting. She is going to lay down some records that will be hard to break. I will cancel my order for “Knitting for Dummies”.
I will check the schedule for her events at the WMG and be sure to watch her.
And – Louise Adams -you will be “only 89” in 2011 for the WMA in Sacramento. Get busy training.
I do love to see all the greater people in your pages. I will be there, my name is Margarita I do have the USA record for more medals won in the USA single state games total 13 in the last Oregon state games (07-11-12- 2009) plus the gold medal in the state America games in Colorado last 08-02-09,plus 3 silver in 800m,1500m run,1500 racewalker. I will be in San Diego 2011.For look for my photo in facebook, state America games,Oregon state Games. Love all you.Margarita Beard.
Go Mum. have been where I could not get any results, home now I am veru proud to be your daughter God Bless Rosalie
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