Results of Ultra Masters Throws (& Club) Championships

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13 competitors with officials from BC Athletics pose for a group shot on Sept. 24

Since Ultra Throw Club was registered in 2015, its members have been testing their might when we close out each season with our Club Championships.

This year’s meet was held on September 24 at the McLeod Athletic Park, Langley. Although it was a Club Championship, a limited number of other athletes were also permitted to participate. Three participants had come from far-flung areas. George Mathews came from Seattle, Jim Dyer from Quesnel and Andrew Arthur from Calgary. This speaks volumes for the popularity and good standing of the Club.

The 13 participants put up their best performances. Weather conditions were commensurate with record performances. There were three events that were contested by most of the participants which included the Throws Pentathlon, Throws Triathlon, and Super Weight Throw. The participants achieved the following results in their respective events.

Pentathlon or Triathlon:

Andrew Arthur Gold (pentathlon), Gold (super weight)

Alan Coles Gold (triathlon)

Jim Dyer Gold (pentathlon), Silver (super weight)

Paramjit Gill Silver (pent.), Silver (super weight)

Shawn Steves Gold (pentathlon), Gold (super weight)

Saroop Tatla Gold (pentathlon), Gold (super weight)

Harnek Toor Gold (pentathlon), Gold (super weight)

Ken Townsend Bronze (pentathlon), Silver (super weight)

David Ulis Silver (pentathlon)

Robbin Whachell Gold (pentathlon)

Individual throws results:

George Mathews Gold (hammer), Gold (super weight)

Francis Steinfeld Gold (hammer), Gold (discus), Gold (shot put)

Megan Teolis Gold (hammer)

We are grateful to the B.C. Athletics officials, led by John and Carol Cull.

With each passing year, our Club goes from strength to strength. We will chalk out our off-season practice to keep various competitions coming up during 2024 in view so that we take off from where we have left now.



Ultra Throw Shines at Canadian Masters Track & Field Championships

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Gold, Silver, Bronze Medals

“45 medals won by only 14 members of the Club!”
— President, Ultra Throw

The 48th Canadian Masters Track & Field Championships was conducted by the Greyhounds Club from Aug. 11–13, 2023 at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley.

There were 412 participants including a score from abroad, but some of them did not turn up due to visa problems and about 400 made their presence felt during the Meet. Athletes subscribed to 1156 events in various disciplines. 14 of our Club members, which constituted approximately 70% of our Club strength, were 3.5% of the registration figures participating in 62 events (5.4% of the registered events).

Ultra Throw members participated in all the formats of throwing events. Some of them even tried their prowess in some track and jumping events as well. They won 45 assorted medals % wise, which is much higher than other clubs and speaks volumes of the achievements. The laurels won by our members are as follows:

  • Gabriella Moro. She participated in the 75-79 age category. Very wisely she chose to take part only in three events and as predicted excelled in all three:

- Discus Throw - She achieved a distance of 22.00 M and won a Gold Medal.

- Shot Put - She achieved a distance of 8.41 M and won a Gold Medal.

- Hammer Throw - She achieved a distance of 24.92 M and won a Silver Medal.

  • Betsy Rollins. She took part only in the Throws Pentathlon in the age category of 70–74 years. She was pitted against Canadian and B.C. record holders, yet she did very well to earn a Bronze Medal.

  • Robbin Whachell. She took part in three events in the age category of 60–64 years and did quite well in a tough competition as follows:

- Discus Throw - She achieved a distance of 20.80 M winning a Silver Medal.

- Javelin Throw - She achieved a distance of 19.35 M winning a Bronze Medal.

- Shot Put - She achieved a distance of 7.22 M (PB) and was placed 4th.

In the shade at the shot put area – Five of the men of Ultra Throw

Men’s age category of 75–79 years. This category of our members dominated the entire competition. Out of eighteen throwing events only one, an ex-Olympian outside competitor was able to get a 1st position in the Hammer Throw and the other two were able to get third positions in Discus Throw and Shot Put. All other fifteen positions were garnered by our members. The positions were as follows :

Ken Townsend

- Javelin Throw - 20.55 M - Bronze Medal.

- Weight Throw - 10.17 M. - Bronze Medal.

- T. Pentathlon - 2429 Pts- Bronze Medal.

- Hammer Throw - 22.88 M - 4th.

- Shot Put - 7.67 M - 4th.

- Discus Throw - 22.50 M - 4th.

Harnek Toor

- Shot Put. - 9.91 M - Gold Medal.

- Javelin Throw - 29.91 M - Gold Medal.

- Weight Throw- 13.91 M - Gold Medal.

- Throws Pentathlon- 3352 Pts - Gold Medal.

- Long Jump - 3.38 M - Gold Medal.

- Hammer Throw- 34.10 M - Silver Medal.

- Discus Throw - 24.59 M - Silver Medal.

David Ulis

- Discus Throw - 31.01 M - Gold Medal.

- Shot Put - 8.99 M - Silver Medal.

- Javelin Throw - 29.73 M - Silver Medal.

- Weight Throw - 11.68 M - Silver Medal.

- High Jump - 1.15 M - Silver Medal.

- Throws Pentathlon - 3011 Pts - Silver Medal.

- Hammer Throw - 27.84 M - Bronze Medal.

Men’s age category of 70–74 years:

Mohan Bains

- Weight Throw - 14.26 M - Silver Medal.

- Hammer Throw - 34.64 M - Bronze Medal.

- Javelin Throw - 24.64 M - Bronze Medal.

- Shot Put - 10.59 M - Bronze Medal.

- Throws Pentathlon - 2944 Pts - Bronze Medal.

- Discus Throw - 29.07 M - 4th.

Saroop Tatla.

He did quite well in the Throws Pentathlon and got 4th position in a very tough field. In the run-up sprained his back and could not continue in the subsequent events.

Men’s age category of 60–64 years:

Paramjit Gill

- Weight Throw - 10.23 M - Silver Medal.

- Hammer Throw - 24.33 M - Silver Medal.

- Throws Pentathlon - 2055 Pts - Silver Medal.

- Discus Throw - 33.16 M - Bronze Medal.

- Shot Put - 8.80 M - 6th.

Alan Coles

- Javelin Throw - 37.34 M - Gold Medal.

- Discus Throw - 23.73 M - 6th.

Michael Lindsey

- Shot Put - 11.00 M - Silver Medal.

- Discus Throw - 34.74 M - Silver Medal.

Jaswinder Pannu

- Javelin Throw - 29.81 M - Bronze Medal.

- Discus Throw - 5th.

Avtar Chhina

- 100 M Hurdles - 32.15 Sec - Gold Medal.

- Long Jump - 3.58 M - Gold Medal.

- Triple Jump - 5.09 M - Silver Medal.

- High Jump - .90 M - Silver Medal.

- Pentathlon - (Pts awaited)

- Shot Put. - 5th.

Thanks to photographer David Walker for photos in this collage: top 1st, 2nd, 5th, and bottom, 1st and second.


Men’s age category of 65–69 years:

Dave McDonald

- Hammer Throw - 28.23 M - Gold Medal.

- Javelin Throw - 32.33 M - Gold Medal.

- Weight Throw - 12.97 M - Gold Medal.

- Throws Pentathlon - 2680 Pts - Silver Medal.

Official Results HERE

Evidently, a crop of 45 assorted medals won by only 14 members of the Club is a great feat by any yardstick unmatched by any of the peers. It shows a great future, particularly for the younger lot. Dave McDonald participated after a long hiatus due to layoff forced by injury and subsequent knee operation, yet he did commendably. He is on his way to World Masters next year and so are a few more. We wish them good luck in Sweden in 2024.

We will wind up this fruitful year with the 55+ BC Track and Field event next week followed by our Club Championship on 1 October.

First Ultra Throw Festival of 2023 Held

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Head official David short of bc athletics holds the red flag as other officials and Ultra Volunteers assist in measuring.

The weather forecast called for 100% chance of rain, but that did not stop the dedicated athletes, officials and organizers of the first Ultra Throw Festival for 2023 held on April 16 at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley.

Set up was early, and after an initial shower, the weather cleared for the hammer throw to get underway. It was only a few hours that the deluge began (along with wind), and it continued until the last implement was thrown in the afternoon.

Twenty-three competitors had registered, of which eleven were from the Ultra Throw Club. Twelve had come forward from other clubs with a few being unattached as well. It was commendable on the part of one seasoned athlete who came all the way from Quesnel to participate in the first meet of the season. James Dyer put in a thrilling performance under trying conditions.

With there being no let-up in the weather, five of the participants decided to avoid venturing into the rings. As such, there were only eighteen active participants who tried their prowess to challenge the chilly windy, and rainy conditions with circles full of water.

the throwing circle was full of water, but on they threw! seen here is James Dyer (80-84) from Quesnel.

Paige Wiancko competed for the first time as a member of Ultra Throw, as did Michael Lindsey.

Though the weather hampered most of the performances, the men did quite well in the shot put. Shawn Stevens (50-54) had a throw of 10.36 M, Rafal Czekajlo (55-59) with a throw of 11.33M, Michael Lindsey (60-64) with a throw of 10.80 M, and James Dyer (80-84) with a throw of 8.61 M tried to beat the weather conditions. In addition, James Dyer did quite well in Hammer Throw (32.89 M), Weight Throw (12.74 M) and the Super Weight Throw (8.41 M). Mathe Sturrock (Open) did very well in the Hammer Throw with a performance of 40.67 M and in Weight Throw with a heave of 11.47 M. Deven Marrero(17-18 yrs) was the cynosure of attraction with a throw of 59.07 M in Hammer Throw.

By and large, the lady participants outshone their male counterparts with Caroline (50-54) leading the charge with sterling performances in Hammer Throw (37.69 M), Shot Put (9.12 M), Discus Throw (23.39 M), Weight Throw (9.09 M) and the Throws Pentathlon with a score of 2445 points. Celina Wong (60-64) did quite well in Hammer Throw (31.43 M), Weight Throw (10.59 M) and the Super Weight Throw (7.54 M). Paige (35-39) did quite well in Hammer Throw(26.83 M) and the Super Weight Throw (3.28 M). Keratin Dhillon(17-18 yrs)braving the slippery conditions did quite well in the Discus Throw(34.28 M).

Ultra Throw would like to thank the officials of BC Athletics for their perseverance through difficult conditions. Dave Short and his team conducted the meet with clockwork precision.

Competitors of the Shot put throw. Left to right: Caroline, Manjit, Saroop, Mohan, Harnek and Ken.

Near the end of the day, Betsy Rollins presented David Short with a BC Athletics 15-year pin, and Dave McDonald with a 5-year pin.

With a busy throwing season upon us, Ultra Throw’s next event will take place in late summer, hopefully under idyllic weather conditions.

Early morning start at Mcleod Athletic Park

Flight 2 Hammer Throwers: Shawn, Paige, Devon, Celina and matthew.

Betsy Rollins presents David Short with a BC Athletics 15-year pin, and Dave McDonald with a 5-year pin.

Ultra Throw Lifetime Membership Awarded to Club Inspiration

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Dave McDonald (right) presents the "Ultra Supporter of the Year" award to Ken Townsend in memory of his wife Gladys.

We’re pleased to announce that Ken Townsend has become an honourary lifetime member of Club Ultra Throw.

Founder of Ultra Throw, Dave McDonald, provides the backstory:

"For those of you who do not know Ken, he is the reason that I started throwing at the age of 55. After coming to grips with never being able to run or play any type of court sports due to having the tibial osteotomy, I saw him throwing discus one day when I was walking the track at Maple Ridge Park. I talked to Ken and took a few throws and smiled saying, 'I could do this.' We became training partners for over 4 years. Long story short, if it wasn't for Ken, I would never have tried throwing and Ultra would not be in existence. “

”I may be the 'founder' but Ken is the 'godfather' of our Ultra Throw Club."

During the Club Championships on Sept. 25 at McLeod Athletic Field in Langley, Ken was also presented with the "Ultra Supporter of the Year" in memory of his wife Gladys.

“For those of you who knew Ken and Gladys, you know that Gladys was there to watch and record almost every throw that he took,” said Dave McDonald. “Bundled up in the rain at times, she took care to keep Ken's stats. I cannot think of anyone who has ever had such a strong supporter. She was amazing.” With this being said, I propose that we put up a perpetual trophy in her honor as "Ultra Supporter of the Year."

Ultra Throw Holds 2022 AGM and Elections

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Left to right: Mohan Bains, Ken Townsend, Robbin Whachell, Harnek Toor, and Owen Wong. [Missing: Dave McDonald and Betsy Rollins]

The Ultra Throw annual general meeting was held on September 25 at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley after the Club Championships.

The meeting was held next to the throws cage. The club would like to thank Jody Cranston who was president for the past season. His message presented for the AGM reads as follows,

"What a great year it was for Ultra Throw! Many scintillating performances by the members at various meets led by Hardeep and Mohan at the world championships. Our membership base is up by 25%. This should lead to the number of members multiplying in the next few years. 'The more people who join, the more people will want to join.' Coach Dave and Robbin worked tirelessly to launch the Canadian Standards. This will be a welcomed addition to all Canadian throwers and have a uniting effect on Canadian throwing clubs. Club Ultra Throw goes into the next season with tremendous momentum: new throwers anxious to start, returning champions ready to defend and coaches willing to lead. Throw upwards and throw far …”

Congrats to the new 2022/23 executive voted-in. They include the following:

  • President, Harnek Toor

  • Vice-President and Communications Director, Robbin Whachell

  • Treasurer and Past President, Dave McDonald

  • Registrar, Betsy Rollins

  • Director, Ken Townsend

  • Director, Owen Wong

  • Director, Mohan Bains

The Club looks forward to future growth and the return of two open meets in 2023. Registration for the new season is already underway. Questions can be sent to ultrathrowclub@gmail.com.