MASTERS ATHLETES TO COMPETE AT THE WORLD MASTERS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS (https://wma2013.com/en/) IN BRAZIL (16 – 27 OCTOBER 2013)
MASTERS ATHLETES TO COMPETE AT THE WORLD MASTERS ATHLETICS
CHAMPIONSHIPS (https://wma2013.com/en/) IN BRAZIL (16 – 27 OCTOBER 2013)
One of the biggest contingents of masters athletes ever to
compete at a world championships (16 – 27 October in Porto Alegra, Brazil) will
be leaving for Brazil in a few weeks time.
The contingent will consist of +- 60 competitors, plus some partners and
supporters. The athletes are men and
women aged between 35 – 90 years who will compete in a total of more than 200 events.
 |
| (Lucas Nel (90) former Springbok Cross Country Athlete in his youth and still going strong !) |
Over the next few weeks, we will be
highlighting some of the athletes' performances who have excelled in past world championships
as well as newcomers to the international scene who stand a very good chance to
win titles and medals.
South Africa has been fortunate to have had a dearth of
talented masters athletes over the years, some of which were top athletes in
their heyday , but also many who only participated up to school or varsity
level, and who have re-discovered their love and talent for the sport at a
later age. Masters Athletics, however,
caters for all athletes and for many, it has given them a new lease on life –
physically and socially – and they have also formed new friendships.
At local, provincial and at national level, masters athletes
compete from age 30, but internationally from age 35 (WMA2013 schedule). The international scene consists of a mix of
competitors. It offers the opportunity
for the more competitive athlete to achieve at the highest level and achieve –
world records and medals – to others its more about the camaraderie the sport
offers and the chance to rub shoulders with fellow-competitors. As the championships are open to all
competitors over the age of 35, provided they are in good health and consider
themselves to be in a relatively good condition to participate, there is no
selection process or other criteria for participation, except that athletes
need to raise their own sponsorships to travel to, stay and participate at the
event. Although athletes compete in
their country’s specified national masters colours, they do not represent their
country as such because they are not selected, but take pride when competing in
and identifying with their country’s national colours, eg. the green and gold.
The Team from South Africa will consist of athletes who will
be competing in all events – sprints and hurdles, middle and long distances on
the track, field events (jumps) and throws, decathlon and heptathlon and
pentathlon, as well as a 8km cross country and the marathon which this year
will incorporate a half marathon for the first time in the history of the
championships.
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