Donald Pellmann

Donald Pellmann (born August 12, 1915) is an American centenarian multi world-record setting masters athlete. He holds the current M90 world record (for men aged 90 or above) in the long jump, high jump, discus throw,[1] and indoor pole vault.[2] Additionally, he also holds the American records in the 100 metres, triple jump, shot put, and javelin throw.[3]

Biography

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was a child of the Great Depression. He had high jumped in high school, where he claims he was "not great," but work soon took priority. He was a tool and die maker and remained at work during World War II. Other than occasional bowling, softball and golf, he was not involved in athletics for 58 years. Meanwhile, he watched his more athletic friends from the football team have failing ankles, knees and hearts. Pellmann never had those kinds of ailments.[4]

Video on YouTube record day
Video on YouTube 100 meters record

On September 20, 2015, Pellmann set five world records at the San Diego Senior Games. Competing in the 100 and older category, he ran the 100-meter dash in 26.99 seconds, beating the previous age-group world record held by Japan's Hidekichi Miyazaki by 2.84 seconds. Pellmann became the first centenarian to clear an official height in the high jump. Pellmann also set records in the shot put, discus throw and long jump.[5] Later that week, Pellmann was named USATF "Athlete of the Week".[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2010-07-31.
  3. ↑ http://www.usatf.org/statistics/records/byEvent.asp?division=american&location=outdoor%20track%20%26%20field&age=masters&eventName=all&sport=TF
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
  5. ↑ Huffaker, Sandy. "A Bolt From the Past: Don Pellmann, at 100, Is Still Breaking Records". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  6. ↑ http://www.usatf.org/News/Centenarian-wins-USATF-Athlete-of-the-Week.aspx



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