2023 in Masters Athletics was another year filled with great competitions on the track and road plus in the field. There were many fantastic performances, including hundreds of national, regional and world records, making it difficult for WMA Regions and WMA’s Statistics Team to choose nominees. Once again, WMA Council agreed that athletes who had competed at their national, their regional or WMA championships were eligible for consideration. The nominees are:
Female: Bhagwani Devi , W96; India, Elsa Meyer, W77, Republic of South Africa; Evaun Williams, W86, Great Britain; Julie Brims, W58, Australia; Sue McDonald, W59, United States of America; and Sumiko Yamakawa Imoto. W85, Brazil
Male: Alexandr Tikhovskiy, M80, Kazakhstan; Damien Leake, M71,United States of America; Jose Quinaliza, M62 , Ecuador; Moses Naidoo, M52, Republic of South Africa; Paul Forbes, M67, Great Britain; and Robert Mayston, M66, Australia.
President’s Message:
Congratulations to all Masters Athletes around the world! The other WMA Officers and I have the privilege of seeing many of you, mostly at championships. It is thrilling for us to share in the wide range of experiences from awestruck, first time World Championship participants to two longtime friends wondering which is going to break the world record. We are looking forward to celebrating with you in Gothenburg and honoring our 2023 WMA Best Athletes, Sue McDonald and Paul Forbes. – Margit Jungmann, WMA President
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Masters Athletics?
My eleventh grandchild arrived in April, Isabelle. She’s one of only three girls. My eldest grandchild is 21! I should point out that Kim, my wife, and I have an extended family. Another nice moment from 2023 was that my son Jamie, a serving member of the 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, received a King’s Commendation in the Operational Honors List.
What does it mean to you to be nominated for this honor?
Gives me the opportunity to express not only my gratitude to the many people who help me over the season, but for them also to be acknowledged by the wider athletic community. My small but successful masters training squad consists of Graeme Gemmell, Paul McMonagle and Laura Haggarty (all are masters finalists at European/world level), and each contribute to our collective success. It goes, almost without saying, that the nomination acknowledges the support of my wife Kim. A successful athlete in her own right, she is very supportive of all my endeavors.
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
My goals remain remarkably consistent from year to year. My aim is to train and race to the best of my ability, What changes is my approach to each new season, planning a schedule to ensure improvement in my running, challenging myself over new distances, adapting my mindset to cope with any physical decline in speed or strength. These goals are set against and within a sustainable framework of physical and mental well-being. Something which is critical in today’s society and advancing years.
What master/s athletes do you admire and why?
I admire anyone with the willpower and determination to get out of bed each morning and try to make a difference, whether for themselves or for others. Positive attitudes, glass half full not half empty sort of thing. I am fortunate that through my active participation in Masters Athletics much of my time is spent in contact with such individuals.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
Although past retirement age, I remain in employment as a part-time care and support worker for those more elderly and infirm than myself, I struggle to give up the satisfaction of the day-to-day interaction I have with my clients and I expect to be working for the foreseeable future. Much of my satisfaction these days comes less from my own achievements and more from my direct or extended family, along with my training group and a few other athletes I advise on an ad-hoc basis.
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Masters Athletics?
My most special moment of 2023 came out of a tragedy that occurred in May. My 95-year-old dad was in an accident where a truck ran over him. Miraculously, he not only survived, he didn’t even break any bones. Dad didn’t come out of this unscathed though….he suffered from multiple serious complications. I flew to Nevada to help my 89-year-old mom take care of him. My dad is simply amazing and a one-of-a-kind man who still works as a fabricator/welder and runs his own business with mom running the books. During his time in the hospital and his recovery at home, dad and I became closer…I witnessed him going through extreme emotions like not wanting to die in a hospital. I had to help him do things he would have much rather have done himself but couldn’t. I learned so much about compassion and how to take care of someone who is extremely sick and he learned to put his ego aside, to accept help and to feel immense gratitude for the loving care mom and I gave him. This was a hard time for our family to go through but through difficult times, magical things happen. Happy to report that dad is back at work and enjoying life!
What does being nominated for this honor mean to you?
The nomination for the WMA Athlete of the Year award is the highest honor I have ever achieved in athletics. I have always had so much respect for all masters athletes as I feel each masters athlete is a special person with the courage to line up on that start line. To be considered one of the top athletes in the world is very special to me as I know there are so many talented masters athletes which makes it challenging for the committee to choose. My goal has always been to work as hard as I can to reach my full potential as I age and to be recognized for that hard work makes me proud. I am very grateful to the committees who nominated me for WMA Athlete of the Year award – Thank you!
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
My goals for 2024 are # 1 to stay healthy and # 2 to continue to train hard to run my age in the 400m, run 2:20 or under in the 800m and earn multiple WMA Championship titles in Sweden. These are huge goals but I am excited for the challenge to see what I can do. As always, it is the journey that I enjoy the most such as the community of runners I train with and race against, the new people I meet along the way and the things that I learn from every race and each new season.
What Masters Athlete(s) do you admire and why?
Two athletes come to mind when I am asked what masters athletes I admire. One, is Lesley Hinz (USA), and the other is Karla Del Grande (Canada). Lesley, (2018 Runner-up WMA Female Middle Distance Athlete of the Year and USATF Masters Hall of Fame Inductee) was the athlete who inspired me to make the switch from jumping/vaulting to back to running again. I admire Lesley because of her passion for the sport and her amazing perseverance. She handles adversity like a champ and makes an incredible team with her husband/coach, Tom Hinz (who also coached me for several years). Lesley not only inspires me but she helped me navigate masters athletics when I was a newbie in the masters community.
Karla Del Grande, (WMA Athlete of the Decade, 2010-2019 along with other honors such as WMA Female Sprints Winner for multiple years) is a woman I had always heard of since I started competing as a runner in masters athletics but never knew her until we met in Poland at the 2023 WMA Indoor Championships. Karla is very humble but at the same time, she has this fire inside to do her absolute best to try to win every race she enters. Karla is highly respected amongst her peers and is always offering to help others in any way she can.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
I am a wife and mother of 3 (Chiara 30; Nicolas 20; Cruz 18). I am passionate about my running and strength coaching and always receive a lot of joy when my athletes try their best and do well. My philosophy is that age is just a number and I try not to put limits on myself. One doesn’t have to think that they will always get slower as they age…I am proof of that! I have an amazing and supportive husband, Michael, and I have a coach who knows how to get the most out of me while I continue to experience joy doing what I love….all track and field events!
What does being nominated for this honor mean to you?
It means a lot to me for being nominated for this prestigious honor / award. It helps me to encourage more people to take part in the Masters Games and If I got this award many people will be encourage in India himself / herself to take part in Masters Games.
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
My goal in 2024 is to win more medals for out country INDIA in upcoming World’s Masters Athletics Championship, Gothenburg, Sweden in August 2024.
What Masters Athlete do you admire and why?
I am inspired by Smt. Maan Kaur because she played from 93 Year Age to 103 Year Age for our country INDIA and she inspired a lot of people for Masters Sports.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
My Self Bhagwan Devi, 96 Yr World Champion Athlete From INDIA. I Won Gold Medal In 100 Mtr Running In World Master Athletics Championship 2022, Tampere, Finland In Just 24.74 Sec.
I Won 9 International Medals, 6 National Medals & 9 State Medals In Just 2 Years.
1 Gold & 2 Bronze In Tampere, Finland 2022, 3 Gold In Torun, Poland In 2023 & 3 Gold In New Clark City In Philippines 2023.
My Grandson Sh. Vikas Dagar is also a International Para Athlete and He Won 24 International Medals and 17 National Medals Till Now. He is my Coach and Only He is the Person Who Motivate me and Coach me to Take Part at International Level.
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Master Athletics?
Because of circumstances that changed in my life, (I lost my husband of 57 years) I made the huge decision to “move house” after living in the same home for 56 years! The highlight for me is that at the ripe age of 77 years old, I can make my own decisions, especially enjoying re-decorating the interior of my new home and making my small garden beautiful.
What does being nominated for this honor mean to you?
It is a great and humbling privilege to be considered as a nominee for the World Master 2023 Best Female Athlete, considering that there are so many admirable master athletes. It rewards my daily discipline of hard work.
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
My goal is to break the 20km world Race Walking record (75-79 category) now that I have the 10km in the bag! 
Unfortunately here in South Africa we do not have the novelty of readily available experienced and qualified judges, and because of that, I have already been deprived of a world record in this distance. I’m taking part in the WMA Championships in Sweden, and I hope to break the record there
What Masters Athlete do you admire and why?
I admire my Aunt Lena Grobler, who was an outstanding sportswoman in her day at different disciplines, those being basketball, softball and athletics. (I probably inherited her good sporting genes.) As a masters athlete, Aunt Lena excelled in different “throwing” items, namely shot put, javelin, discus and hammer. She even tried her luck at some sprint events! She held a number of world records. She also earned the title of Masters Athlete of the Year.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
I am a mother of 3 grown daughters and a grandmother of two. I am a sought-after seamstress, wedding dresses being my specialty.
In 2018, I received the Order of Ikamangha in bronze, which is an honor accredited to qualifying South Africans by the President of South Africa
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Masters Athletics?
It was a joyous moment last June when we welcomed another member to our already large family, a great-nephew born in June. Later in the year seeing my granddaughter off to start her second year at university.
What does being nominated for this honor mean to you?
First, it shows that age is immaterial; you can achieve it if you believe you can. It is with great pride and humility that I accept this recognition and applaud my coach devoting his time and energy to get me on the right track at the correct appointed time.
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
My first and very important goals are to stay healthy, maintain my physical fitness and mental health and, should my financial state look healthy, and I can afford it, compete in the World Masters Championships in Gothenburg in August.
What Master Athlete(s) do you admire and why?
I admire and applaud all the master athletes, so I am unable to choose any special one. We all seem to be committed regardless of the outcome when we compete. I find we tend to train harder and give our all because we love what we do. I raise my hat to all.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
I am not sure about this but here goes. I am family oriented, am conscientious, train hard and try to train smart. I love the challenge I get competing, especially against the younger age groups at certain meetings. Much more than that and I’ll be giving away my state secrets; but I would like to think I am an inspiration for them to aspire to.
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Masters Athletics?
In May 2023, I was absolutely flabbergasted when my hometown Municipal Council of Maryborough, Queensland, advised me I would be an inductee into the Maryborough “Walk of Achievers” in recognition of my achievements in World Masters Athletics. I attended the ceremony in company of the local Mayor, where a plaque bearing my name and the sport of World Masters Athletics was unveiled in the footpath of historic Wharf Street in the old Portside Heritage Precinct of Maryborough. The “Walk of Achievers”, comprising 104 inductees to date ((including Olympians (14), Academics, Aviators, Philanthropists, Industrialists and Artists, to name a few)), was set up by the City to honour past/present Maryborough citizens who have achieved with high distinction globally in their chosen fields as an example to the young of today that you can grow up in a small country Queensland town and achieve your grandest dreams (Photo 1).
In May 2023 with our children now making their way in the World, we brought a beautiful little Havanese puppy into our home, Osito (Spanish for “Little Bear”). He is such a lovely, happy little dog to have around the house however, he is unsuitable as a training partner as he is way too fast! (Photo 2),
In September 2023 I was extremely happy to start my season by competing in the North Queensland Open Championships in Mackay winning the Open Women 100m in 12.49s (+1.4m/s) and being the first Masters sprinter engraved on the Jeff Buchanan Memorial Trophy. (Photo 3)
What does being nominated for this honour mean to you?
Upon receiving the email advising of my nomination, I was so surprised and unsure how to react, with emotions of disbelief, doubt and elation that my name would be put forward alongside some incredible athletes and that my achievements have been judged worthy enough to potentially join sprinting legends Phil Raschker and Carol Lafayette-Boyd who have previously won this award. This would be the ultimate honour if I were to be recognised by World Masters Athletics as the Best Female Athlete of the Year.
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
I have three major goals for the 2024 season and hopefully my body will oblige and allow me to;
What Masters athletes do you admire and why?
Karla del Grande – As Karla is two (2) age groups above me, her elite levels of achievement in the sprints are a constant source of inspiration, motivation and justification of my philosophy that, irrespective of age, Masters athletes can aspire to and achieve a 100% age-graded performance. She is such a remarkably consistent performer with a running style that is just beautiful to watch, and she is such an approachable and humble person.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
Being an identical twin, I grew up acutely aware of how others feel when they come second. Inevitably one twin will be better at something than the other. My twin Jan (highly extroverted) would always be extremely upset by coming second to me when competing, so I always tried not to be excited by my wins or achievements and just played everything down so as not to further upset her. Being the highly introverted twin, this suppression of emotion became a natural response. This trait has spilled over to my adult life, and to this day, I still do not like to show my emotions when crossing the line so as not to upset or disrespect my fellow competitors.
Over the years fellow competitors have perceived this lack of emotion as a level of arrogance, however I approach every race only as another attempt to better my best and I am always satisfied that I did my best on the day.
On the other hand, I so look forward to running in relays, as it allows me to share and celebrate the efforts and emotions of a team performance in a much more outgoing manner!
What were the most special moments of 2023 outside of Masters Athletics?
2023 was a year with many special moments in which I was able to meet friends and acquaintances that we were unable to meet during the pandemic period and another special moment was the birth of my first great-grandchild. And most importantly, stay healthy to train, compete and enjoy life a little more.
What does it mean to you to be nominated for this honor?
First, a very big and very pleasant surprise. I never imagined that one day I would be able to achieve such a feat.
And then an immense honor to be one of the nominees for choosing the best athlete in the Master.
What are your Masters Athletics goals for 2024?
First of all, be healthy to continue training, improving your techniques to have a good participation in the Outdoor World Championship in Gothenburg and if everything goes well, I hope to achieve good results, as I have achieved in the last world championships.
Which Masters athlete(s) do you admire and why?
I admire you very much, sir. Yoshiyuki Shimizu and Mr. Takumi Matsushima.
They are my friends, my teammates and are great examples of resilience, longevity, perseverance and dedication to athletics. They are already in the over 90 category and are my mirror to continue competing and overcoming the obstacles of age and health.
What else would you like people who read the ad to know about you?
I am very proud to be able to represent my country and the sport that I love so much and has always been an important factor in my life and that has given me many trips, meeting many people, a lot of joy, strength to always try to surpass some milestone, achieve and keep many friends and most importantly, be a mother, grandmother and now great-grandmother!
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Masters Athletics?
I work as a trainer. I train Paralympians. My athlete Mukashbekov Dastan in 2023 won a bronze medal at the World Athletics Championship among Paralympians in Paris and won the Para Asian Games in Ganjou in the shot put.
What does being nominated for this honor mean to you?
This is a very high honor for me. This means being a good example for the younger generation – leading a healthy lifestyle, being active, keeping fit, loving life, sports, people, and your profession. I really want to pass on my experience and knowledge and show that at any age we can set goals and achieve them!!!
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
Train and show better results
What Masters Athlete(s) do you admire and why?
I admire veterans who skillfully combine work with active sports and compete at a high level.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
I am 80 years old. I’m still working. Now I am the senior coach of Kazakhstan in para-athletics. My student received a license and will participate in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Masters Athletics?
I’d have to say the most special moments outside of Master Athletics in 2023 was the growth and success of the kids that I Coach. As a general rule that is my greatest joy. I started in Masters Athletics when I was 55 years old, relatively late,
What does being nominated for this honor mean to you?
This nomination represents what hard work, pursuit of what you love, perseverance and being open to life’s changes can allow one to achieve and enjoy. I am deeply honored and flattered.
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
My goals for 2024 are to get better athletically, hoping and working out ways to stay injury-free, improve my Long jump, as I haven’t worked on it as much as I should over the past few seasons…and take some shots at re-breaking the indoor 60M WR and the Outdoor 100M WR.
What Masters Athlete(s) do you admire and why?
The Masters Athletes I most admire are Bill Collins, Charles Allie, Oscar Peyton for their excellence and tenacity even through physical and emotional difficulties. Kathy Bergen for her performance standards and accumulation of WR’s. And a number of others.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
I have always loved track & field even when I got sidetracked making a living as an actor over the last 54 years. Track & Field has opened a community and a world to me for which I will be forever appreciative.
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Masters Athletics?
2023 was an incredible year for personal and professional reasons. I’ve been coaching high school track and field for 20 years. This past season I had three athletes to qualify for the state track and field meet. Two of my high jump athletes qualified for the state meet and finished in the top 8. I also had an athlete who finished well in the long and triple jump(s). Personally, my friendships blossomed. I was able to connect and reconnect with friends and family members who I haven’t talked to in years. I value friendships and to reconnect with these persons meant a lot.
What does it mean to you to be nominated for this honor?
Being nominated lets me know the hard work is worth it. You wonder if anyone is paying attention; noticing and appreciating your craft you’ve mastered throughout the years. I am grateful to be recognized and I know other athletes appreciate it as well.
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
Like most athletes, I want to win. I want to show up as the best version of myself and put on an excellent performance. More so, I want to meet and build relationships with competing athletes. I’m privileged to compete with such talented individuals and I know they have incredible knowledge to share. My goal is to compete at a high level while developing friendships with individuals from around the world.
What masters athletes do you admire and why?
Brian Hankerson of the United States is a great competitor. I enjoyed competing against him in Torun last year and hopefully will get to compete again this year. Petra Herrmann from Germany is also fun to watch. I had the opportunity to watch her for the first time at indoors Masters last year and wow she was spectacular.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
I really just want people to know how much I love triple jump and athletics in general. I’ve been competing in this sport for my entire life and I can truly say it’s a part of me. Some of my fondest memories come from this sport. I’ve travelled around the world and met some amazing people thanks to this incredible sport. I am grateful to be able to compete and look forward to competing for years to come.
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Masters Athletics?
Family is very important to me, 2023 saw my 3 daughters achieve milestones in their education. Especially our youngest, who had finished her schooling and is ready for university. As a father this was so special as all the hard work of bringing them up and nurturing them, brought so many wonder moments.
What does it mean to you to be nominated for this honor?
I was so surprised, as I have only been seriously running from August 2022. I am so humbled and grateful that my achievements have been recognized by WMA. It has taught me that all the hard work behind the scenes really pays off . To round it up I’m ecstatic and can’t wait so start competing again .
What are your goals in Masters Athletics for 2024?
After I won the world championships in Toruń last year, I had so many conversations about WMA with my peers , they were inspired and wanted to start athletics again . So , I would hope to inspire and get as many people to join WMA and to win many gold medals at the outdoor world championships in Gothenburg and just do my best .
What master/s athletes do you admire and why?
I have to say that it’s Juan Lopez of Spain. When I arrived at the world indoor championships in Toruń last year . I didn’t know any of the athletes as it was my first 400m championship ever let alone in an indoor stadium. Whilst I was in the warm-up area before my heat Juan introduced himself, although he doesn’t speak English, we understood each other . He made me feel welcome and that took all my nerves away. We become very good friends during the championship. The reason I admire Juan, is that he is so humble as you know he is the world record holder for the M50 400m. He inspires me. An absolute gentleman.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
I am married to my childhood sweetheart for 28 years and we have three beautiful daughters. We live in the coastal city of Durban. I love family and God. I am a lawyer, and I play every sport that has a ball. I’ve played cricket and soccer all my life Masters athletics has changed my life forever, as it has taught me humility and discipline and I’ve made so many good friends
What were the most special moments in 2023 outside of Masters’ Athletics?
My fourth grandchild was born in July (and as I write this a fifth has just arrived !) I am loving spending time with them and watching them growing up with all of the energy they have. They can help me “stay young too”, is what I’m thinking, when I hang out with them.
What does being nominated for this honor mean to you?
Masters Athletics is my No. 1 hobby, and something that for me that has the perfect ingredients of wellbeing – fitness & fun. But it isn’t something where you think about any recognition from being involved in it. And so being nominated is something totally unexpected…a real surprise, a “bolt from the blue”… and is certainly an honor.
What are your goals in Masters’ Athletics for 2024?
Each year even though I’m a year older I always try and find ways to improve how I train and perform. And on that the best thing I’ve done post 2018 I have done is to get a trainer and add gym to my training regime. World Championships are always exciting to be part of – I did my first Indoor Championships last year which was great. So my main goal this year is to arrive in Gothenburg “fit & firing” for what I think promises to be a great World Championships – maybe even with a record number of entries.
What Masters Athlete(s) do you admire and why?
There are quite a few…too many to mention here ! Close to home, there are members of my sprint training group, lead by the fanatical Andrew Wilcox and my good friend, M65 Andrew Watts. Together with Andrew, other M65 team-mates Trevor Young and Campbell Till are special athletes I’ve shared World Championship relay victories with. Then internationally, Gerhard Zorn of Germany “picks himself” here as both Trevor and myself have been trying to find a way to beat him countless times, but – so far – without success. A true rival in every sense of the word, but even a better friend off the track. And of the female athletes, fellow Aussie Julie Brims is certainly someone I admire, she is all class.
What else would you like people reading the announcement to know about you?
Outside of athletics another sporting hobby I have is golf – although I’m not very good at it. My handicap is “north” of 30, so I have some work to do. I am also involved in promoting Masters’ Athletics as President of Victorian Masters Athletics and through participation in the Australian Masters Athletics board. I believe that Masters’ Athletics has much growth potential, especially if we emphasise the participation aspect of it and the health and wellbeing benefits that are there to be had.
