Sprint star Darren Scott aiming to become decathlon world champ
Darren is good to go in the deca 100, 400 and maybe hurdles. The skill events will test him.
Here’s a Tom Phillips triptych of Darren during his BMAF nationals decathlon.
The story continued:
Darren entered the UK Master’s Decathlon Championship and won the 100 metres, 400 metres, 1500 metres, long jump and high jump.
“I was totally chuffed to win the decathlon,” he said.
“I plan to carry on sprinting but have now set myself a goal to become the Master’s M50 world, European and UK decathlon champion by the time I am 50.
“Over the next year I plan to train really hard to improve my discus, shot putt, javelin and to improve my pole vault technique.”
Darren only took up athletics when he was 21 and became a top class 200 metre sprinter representing Scotland at international level.
When he turned 35, he became eligible to enter masters’ competitions where he took the world by storm.
Lesley Lunt, sales and marketing manager at The Heath, said: “We are immensely lucky to have such an inspirational person as Darren working in our leisure suite and gym.
“His is quite a remarkable athlete who simply loves the challenge of competition.
“He’s a born winner.”
I’ve thought about doing the deca, too. But I still have a mental block in the hurdles and long jump (two events in which I tore ACLs.) But give me time.
Meanwhile, go get ’em, Darren!
11 Responses
The decathlon is truly challenging. It will humble even the best athletes. I recall Roger Kingdom giving it a try and giving up when he could not master the throws. Ashton Eaton, Bryan Clay, and our many great masters decathletes are truly the worlds’ best athletes. Good luck to Darren Scott in his pursuit of deca glory.
30+ years ago Roger Kingdom gave up his deca ambition because of the pole vault. I must have been thinking of another sprinter/hurdler who could not master the throws.
I photographed Darren’s British Masters decathlon in July. The photos are here: http://www.tomphillipsphotos.co.uk/styled-24/styled-48/styled-54/index.html
Darren’s 100 and 400 were money in the bank, of course, to help offset his awful discus and shot, but for a non-specialist, his jumps were really pretty good – high jump particularly. After couple more years of technical skills training, I’d certainly not bet against Darren achieving his aim.
Oh, and that was a crop from my photo of Darren from the Torun Euromasters in 2015 you used, Ken, though uncredited. The full image is here: http://www.tomphillipsphotos.co.uk/emaci155270315/slides/_MMP2499.html
Lindy just did a decathlon on September 17 at San Marcos, TX. He knows what it takes for a sprinter to do this.
At age 50 the throwing implements get lighter!
(and hurdles lower)
With that kind of speed, I think he will do quite well. It will be fun to see how well he can perform.
Training for 10 is entirely different than training for 2 or 3 events….however,speed does kill
What a competitor! Hard to bet against him; still, the increasing number of really talented deca/hep competitors in masters T&F is exciting and will lead to tighter competitions in the years to come. I would love to try a dec, but am too slow, too weak, and too uncoordinated. On the other hand, that does indicate remarkable consistency! Seriously, watching these men and women, masters and open, is truly humbling and inspiring. Hope the women get the dec soon, at least in open competition.
USATF masters women have had the dec as a national championship since 2007.
My mistake, make that since 2006
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