Almost 1 / 4 of a century after breaking one sprinting world document as a mere 76-year-old, Lester Wright was again in type once more on Saturday as he set the official 100m world document for centenarians.
Wright was competing on the Penn Relays, America’s oldest observe and area meet, when he surged over the road in a time of 26.34 seconds, breaking Donald Pellmann’s mark of 26.99 set in 2015. Britain’s Fauja Singh set an unofficial 100m world document for the age group in 2011 with a time of 23.40.
Total stadium on their toes for Lester Wright, at 100-years-young, ending the Penn Relays 100m in 26.34 👏
📺: https://t.co/sQsicxnq7Dpic.twitter.com/wNQauZS8a6
“When you’re going to exit to run a race, you need to actually run the race to attempt to win,” Wright, who turned 100 on Friday, informed Fox 29 earlier than the race. “I don’t know how one can run to be second or third.”
Wright had cause to be assured: his athletic profession has lasted greater than 80 years. He began sprinting significantly within the Thirties earlier than he was compelled to pause as a result of second world battle. He served in a segregated unit on the seashores of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge below George Patton, and was promoted to sergeant by the top of the battle. When he returned to the US he began working once more significantly on the age of 30 and has been competing ever since. He broke the 200m world document for over 75s when he was 76.
Total stadium on their toes for Lester Wright, at 100-years-young, ending the Penn Relays 100m in 26.34 👏
📺: https://t.co/sQsicxnq7Dpic.twitter.com/wNQauZS8a6
Like several elite athlete, Wright has a robust assist unit. He and his spouse, Adele, have been married 80 years. They ran a dental provide enterprise for 40 years in New Jersey in addition to coaching collectively and elevating a household that features their great-great grandchildren.
“We bowled collectively, we ran collectively, we performed collectively, we went to the flicks collectively,” Wright informed ABC 7. Wright was requested if he and Adele had an ideal marriage: “No,” he mentioned with fun.
Requested by ABC 7 what she thinks of her husband’s sporting profession, Adele mentioned: “It’s as much as him. If he needs to do it, that’s what he needs to do.” Wright mentioned his spouse had given him priceless recommendation earlier than Saturday’s race: “My spouse tells me end your personal race.”
He could also be again to interrupt extra data too. Requested if he would compete on the Penn Relays in 2023 Wright replied with a chuckle: “Maybe”.
Post a Comment