WMA has a year to create 105-and-over age group — or else
M100 isn’t what she used to be. Hidekichi “Golden Bolt” Miyazaki, 103, of Japan is challenging Usain Bolt to a race in 2015 and planning an assault on the record books. Only one problem: WMA affords him no opportunity to set records when he’s 105. As I’ve noted, WMA age groups end at M100 and W100. In other words, 113-year-olds are lumped with their spring-chicken centenarian cousins. But in this otherwise delightful story, we’re told: “Having become the planet’s fastest centenarian in 2010, he now has his sights on another milestone in the unlikely 105-109 age group category. ‘That’s what I’m training for,’ said Miyazaki, who loses valuable seconds at the start of races because he can’t hear the gun go off. ‘It’s my birthday next month and that’s my next goal.’ He need only cross the finish line to set the new world record as no official mark exists in that age class.” So listen up, Japanese affiliate. Request a WMA rule change that creates a 105-and-over age group. Or you’ll have to answer to the Golden Bolt.
Hidekichi is gunning for a showdown with Bolt and a nonexistent record.
10 Responses
As soon as a 105-year old sets a mark that age class exists. It needs no rule, I think.
Ken’s right about the need to change the rules: see 141.2 here http://www.world-masters-athletics.org/files/laws_rules/rulesofcompetition.pdf
He can race the Polish gentleman who will be 105 next year! (Stanislaw Kowalski) As far as not hearing th gun, use a visible light- Red/green and time it with the gun.
I would imagine that Weia is right. 5 year age groups already exist and when the need arises they would have to recognize that age group. I would say that as we get older it becomes even more important due to the decline in performance due to advancing age.
Let’s see if this formats correctly. WMA rules say:
Competition shall be conducted only in the following age groups denominated as follows :
Age Male age‐group Female age‐group
35 ‐ 39 M35 W35
40 ‐ 44 M40 W40
45 ‐ 49 M45 W45
50 ‐ 54 M50 W50
55 ‐ 59 M55 W55
60 ‐ 64 M60 W60
65 ‐ 69 M65 W65
70 ‐ 74 M70 W70
75 ‐ 79 M75 W75
80 ‐ 84 M80 W80
85 ‐ 89 M85 W85
90 ‐ 94 M90 W90
95 ‐ 99 M95 W95
100+ M100 W100
Ken,
WMA RULES OF COMPETITION 2013‐2016 Section 260.8 “World masters records or, where appropriate, world masters ‘best performances’ shall be recognised for each of the five‐year age‐groups listed in the Rules of Competition and also for each five‐year age‐group older than those listed and denominated accordingly, which shall be recognised in five year age groups, with no upper limit.” Does this help with your request for a rule change?
Ah so! I missed that. Great catch, Thad. I see you are looking ahead 42 years.
Aha. Database 101: redundant information is always incorrect. They should eliminate the table in 141.2 and keep the single source of record at 260.8.
Case closed!
So nice to read about someone close to his 104th looking forward already to his 105th!!
we have a strong 104 man (this year, and 105 in 2015) Augustin Rus, born at 5 april 1910, live in Ciceu Mihaiesti – Bistrita Nasaud – Romania… but nobody try to convince him to compete. and i supose this happened in every poor country. our planet is full of healty 100’s people. sorry for my bad english. http://www.rasunetul.ro/la-multi-ani-domnului-augustin-rus-la-104-ani-ce-i-urat-deputatul-pnl-stelian-dlha
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