Thank you to all the photographers, especially Doug Shaggy Smith, Torrey Enoksen and Alex Rotas, who spend so much time to capture us so well. The photos featured in these articles are from them and athletes’ posts on social media.
Activity at Ratina today started with the M55- decathlon day 1. Finals in 800m and shot put drew spectators’ attention. Angela Copson, W75, GBR, has set several WMA records through her illustrious Masters Athletics career. She currently holds six outdoor and two indoor. Today, she lowered the 800m mark. Current W55 WMA 800m record holder, Anne Gilshinan, IRL, is also now the reigning World Champion with her victory today. Paul Forbes, GBR, fell a little short of the M65 record with his 2:14.67. The closest race of the day had María Carabante, W50, ESP edging countrywoman, Marta Camps Galí 2:21.44 to 2:21.52.
Angela setting a new WMA mark. Maija Kumpula is in the background poised to earn another medal for the host country.
M70 WMA shot put record holder, Quenton Torbert, USA, earned gold by beating WMA Athlete of the Decade, Arild Busterud, NOR, in that event but, in fairness, Arild earned AoD because of his accomplishments in hammer, weight and throws pentathlon.
5000m race walk continued at Hervanta today featuring men 60 through 90. Andrew Jamieson, AUS, current M60 WMA record holder in this event and 2016 WMA Best Athlete, earned a gold medal in M75 in 30:07.72. M80 was won by the host country’s Martti Valonen in 38:34.26.
Andrew Jamieson relaxing after his 5000m race walk win.
Women threw the weight today. Mirja Kokko, W60, FIN, who set the WMA record earlier this year, won with a throw of 18.26m. Germany and Finland had three World Champions each today in the weight. Mirja, Kirsi Koro, W45, 15.09m, and Kirsti Viitanen, W75, 13.72m, earned gold for Finland while Eva Nohl, W70, 13.49m, Margret Klein-Raber, W55, 15.53, and Bettina Schardt, W50, 15.62, stood on top of the podium for Germany.
W70 Weight throwers.
Combined events continued with the first day of M35 to M55 divisions in decathlon and W55 to W85 heptathlon divisions.
Varpu Holmberg, W80, FIN, on her way to a first day total of 2468. Photo: Alex Rotas
Thomas Stewens, GER, during high jump attempt in the M55 decathlon. Thomas and Christian Hoser, AUT, are separated by 20 points after the first day.
