Albany athletes win combined 14 gold medals at 2022 Australian Masters Games in Perth

Five Albany athletes took part in the 2022 Australian Masters Games last month in Perth.

The 18th week-long festival of sport brought together contestants from around Australia and the world to enjoy the extensive sport and social program.

It was the first time Perth had hosted the event since 1993, and several Albany athletes were involved in this year’s festival, which included 33 different sports across age categories of 30 and up.

The grand opening of the event was at Optus Stadium on Friday, April 22, and Albany was well represented by several participating masters athletes.

Albany athletes Brenda Painter and Barb Wilson were nominated to hold the banner in the athletes’ parade.

The three-day track and field competition began on April 23 and five Albany masters athletes stood out among the rest to win 14 gold, six silver and two bronze medals between them, maintaining excellent sportsmanship in all events.

In the 35-39 age group, Johann Strassen finished first in the 400m run and 400m hurdles and also won a silver medal in triple jump.

Craig Shield impressed in the 65-69 age group with gold in the 5kg shotput and silver in the 1kg discus.

In the 70-74 age bracket, Wilson won gold in the 500g javelin throw and triple jump, and also snared gold in the 60m run. She then placed fifth in the 1kg discus, won silver in long jump, a bronze medal for the 3kg shotput and was fourth in the 12lb weight throw.

Painter put in a superb performance in all her competitions to win gold in the high jump, 60m run, 100m run, long jump, 200m run, triple jump and pentathlon to go with a bronze medal in the 400g javelin throw.

Peter Muller performed well in the 80-84 age bracket as he snared gold in the 3kg shotput, 1kg discus and the 12lb weight throw, and also won silver in the 400g javelin throw.

In the 85-89 category, John Crochrane claimed a gold medal in the 3kg shotput and 1kg discus to go with a bronze in the 400g javelin event.