Roald, age 48, sets standard for London 2012

Roald, age 48, sets standard for London 2012

Published: 13/01/2011 10:43 – Updated: 13/01/2011 10:45
Roald, age 48, sets standard for London 2012
By Andrew Franczak

A 48-year-old javelin thrower from Broxbourne, who has set himself the ambitious goal of qualifying for the London 2012 Olympics, is proving that age may not be a barrier to his dream by setting a new world record.

NO BARRIER: Roald Bradstock

NO BARRIER: Roald Bradstock

Roald Bradstock, a former member of Enfield and Haringey Athletic Club, is based in the United States and drove 500 miles from his home in Atlanta to compete in his first event of the season at the National Training Center in Clermont, Florida. In only his second throw of the competition Bradstock threw 71.83m, breaking the UK Masters record of 71.51m held by Peter Yates in 1999.

It also surpassed his World Age (48) record of 71.07m set last May.

Remarkably, the throw could be enough to get him entry into the 2012 Aviva Trials and UK Championships – which will act as a selection stepping stone for London 2012 later that summer.

“That distance should qualify me now for my eighth trials when I will be 50 years old,” Bradstock told the Mercury. “I believe I’m the first person to do this.”

For the full story, see today’s Mercury.