Report from the Athletics Masters Winter World Championships 2019
Small, but nice.
From March 24th to 30th, 2019, the VIII Indoor and Winter Throwing World Championships of the Athletics Masters took place in the nice Copernicus city of Torun (POL). More than 4,000 participants from all continents met in the «Arena», ideally equipped for indoor athletics, and on the Winter throwing fields (Polanik-Land!). Compared to other countries, the Swiss were a small – but excellent – group.
All participating Helvetias carried at least two
medals home. With two golds, Connie Hodel, W55, was the most successful; followed by Mägy Duss, W60, with a gold and a silver –
of course both in hammer and weight throw! Silver Girl Margaritha
Dähler‐Stettler, W70, became Vice World Champion in the hammer and in the
triple jump; and Ruth Raaflauf-Minnig, W60, had two third
Place finishes in the long jump, and the 60m hurdles to reach the
bronze pedestal.
Like gentlemen, the Helvetians lined up behind the women. Above all
Thomas Keller, M45, who won silver over 60m hurdles.
All-rounder Yvan Lovo, M50, achieved good results thanks to balanced
results in the Pentathlon, and won the bronze medal. Additionally,
Alexis de Coppet brought home two bronze medals,
M80, 3’000m Track Walk, and 10 km Road Walk.
The remaining men either received a diploma for ranking
among the top eight or were able to place themselves in midfield and
some, like the writer, just managed avoid last place.