I know, you hoped you'd heard the last of me on this topic, but maybe
just one more short one . . .
As I sorted through Mirko's world lists, identifying those athletes of
"masters track" ages, I couldn't help noticing several whose
performances or ages made them seem very special. I've mentioned
several of these as I've posted event lists, so I hope you'll excuse
repetitions and the inevitable omissions. Perhaps you'd care to
supplement my selections of the very special masters.
First of all, I'd think that the oldest are special. I have it that the
oldest on Jalava's 2008 world lists are, in both instances, discus
throwers:
The oldest female to make his world deep lists is Ellina Zvereva (BLR),
birthdate 16 November 1960, who not only is on the list, but ranks #19
in the world at 62.75m. (It probably wouldn't be fair not to mention
that the second-oldest female is Merlene Ottey, only six months
younger; and what a great sprint career she's had!)
The oldest male on the world lists is Sveiin Inge Valvik (NOR),
birthdate 20 September 1956 (52 years old by season's end), #521 at
51.49m.
Because it was easy to do, I also sorted for the youngest in each
event: For the males, that was Kevin Jones (USA), birthdate 7 October
1993, who ranked #1087 on the 100-meters list at 10.65 seconds. The
youngest female gets a little more complicated. The youngest for whom I
have a full birthdate was Laura McDowell (USA), birthdate 8 October
1994, who placed #759 at 2:09.56 in the 800m list. The complication is
that Mirko lists Tiffany Terry (USA) with only the birth year of 1995,
as #965 at 55.57 in the 400m. I'd usually ignore partial birthdates,
but I guess there's no disputing that any birthdate in 1995 is younger
than any birthdate in 1994.
Jaouad Charib (MAR) was on my list of "best of all masters" as
second-place finisher in the Olympic Games marathon--how much better
can a 35-plus athlete (BD 22 May 1972) do? Charib's 2:07.16 was #14 in
the world. That seemed a cinch, although there was always the
alternative of Haile Gebrselassie's #3 ranking in the 10,000m. Which is
better--#2 in the Olympic Games or #3 in the world? Gebrselassie took
that question off the books with his marathon world record of 2:07.16
at Berlin on 28 September. Geb is #1 Masters Athlete for 2008, okay?
I think I mentioned before my appreciation for Henry Kirwa (KEN) making
the 5000m list, not only as a masters athlete, but on the basis of a
winning effort in the Paralympic Games. I'm not sure what are the
disability requirements for participation in the Paralympic Games, but
to do well enough in that venue to make the open world list has to be
special.
The #2 world ranking of Virgilijus Alekna (LTU) in the discus is
sufficient to stand alone, but for a USA/CAN track fan, it seems even
more impressive that he out-distanced our very well-remembered John
Godina, world #22, who is three months younger.
And again primarily on the basis of his world reputation and North
American icon, it was good to see the name of Dan O'Brien crop up in
the masters ranks, if not in the decathlon (where there were no masters
on the world list), then in the 110m hurdles.
Another distance-event specialist who deserves attention is Kjersti
Tysse Plätzer (NOR), who finished second in the Olympic Games 20km walk
and #8 overall on the world list for the event.
Although it only reflects my personal biases toward the pole vault, I
especially appreciated the accomplishments of Jeff Hartwig and Stacy
Dragila. Jeff, because he set a new age 40 record of 5.70 and Stacy,
for her world #10 ranking with 4.70m at age 37. Jeff's 5.70 wipes from
the books a very-much-doubted 5.50 for what once was the beginning age
for masters competition. Stacy, who became only the second woman
(behind Aussie Emma George) to clear 4.60m/15', showed that she can
still better this by four inches nine years later.
Okay, I promise to quit on this thread--but not the pole vault.
Cheers,
Roger
