Ontario Masters Fastball Guru Dave Birnie set a new Canadian Masters Track & Field record in the Men’s Javelin Throw recently.
Dave returned to competitive track & field for the first time in 30+ years and broke the record in his first meet. Dave’s Canadian record toss of 51.69 metres eclipsed the old record of 51.12 set in 2005 at the World Masters Games in Edmonton Alberta. Masters track and field has no restrictions other then age, you compete against recreational athletes and sometimes even former Olympians and World Record holders. Dave recently turned 50 and competes in the 50-54 age bracket.
The 2nd ranked 50-54 javelin thrower in the world in 2009 was Dainis KÅ«la of Latvia, back in 1980 Dainis won the Gold Medal at the Moscow Olympics with a toss of 91.20 metres. Dainis’ best throw last year was 61.64 at the World Masters Track & Field Championships in Lahti Finland. The World Masters Track & Field Championships are held every 2 years, Dave will be competing for Canada at the 2011 World Masters Track & Field Championships in Sacramento California. In 2013 the World Masters Track & Field Championships will be held in Porto Alegre, Brazil but Dave may opt for the multi event World Masters Games in Torino Italy so he can throw the javelin and catch his Canadian masters fastball buddies in action.
Canadian & American masters track and field rankings are updated throughout the summer with the World Masters rankings coming when the track season ends, Dave is confident he can improve by 3-5 metres this year, the strong throwing arm is still there but the run-up and technique needs a lot of work, Dave’s goals are a top 2 ranking in Canada, top 5 in North America and a top 10 in the World. Dave is a member of the Niagara Regional Athletics Track Club in Niagara Falls, Ontario where he still holds the Open Men’s javelin track club record from 30 years ago, Dave’s coach is Kevin Knight. Dave competed in pole vault, discus as well as the javelin back in high school, in grade 12 Dave won the Bert Pearson Memorial Trophy for Track and Field Athlete of the year.
Watch here for some photos to go with the story.
Congratulations, Dave !