The opening ceremony of the World Masters Championships will herald the beginning of two weeks of competition for over 8000 athletes from 101 countries!

MALAGA, SPAIN, September 3, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- 445 USATF MASTERS ATHLETES ARE ON THEIR WAY TO MALAGA, ON SPAIN’S COSTA DEL SOL, TO COMPETE IN THE 2018 WORLD MASTERS ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS! AS PART OF THAT ELITE GROUP ARE 13 USATF MASTERS HALL OF FAME MEMBERS, 15 WORLD RECORD HOLDERS AND OVER 20 AMERICAN RECORD HOLDERS!

Today is the opening ceremony of the World Masters Athletics Championships. As thousands march in it will herald the beginning of two weeks of competition for over 8000 athletes from 101 countries! The USA is sending over 400 representatives of Team USATF from all over the country including some of the best in the world!

Included on #TeamUSATF is 2017 (and 2012) WMA Outstanding Male Athlete of the year Bob Lida, 81, of Wichita, KS, who set world M80 records in both the 200M and 400M at the WMA Indoor Championships in Daegu, South Korea, in 2017. Also present will be former WMA Athletes of the Year; Irene Obera, (2016), 84, from Fremont, CA, Rita Hanscom (2009), 64, San Diego, CA, and Charles Allie (2013), 70, of Pittsburgh, PA, and last year's WMA Event Group Athlete of the Year, Jeferson Souza, 44, Miami, FL (combined events).

Stars to watch include Allie, 70, who has set 3 world records since turning 70 this year! The 200M indoors (26.45), and in July, the 200M and 400M outdoor (25.75 & 59.18) at the USATF outdoor championship in Spokane, WA. Roy Englert, 95, has set 4 this year, the 800M, 1500M and 3000M indoors in March and the mile also in Spokane. For the women, Leslie Hinz, 60, has set both the 800M (2:36.57) and mile (5:43.75) world marks indoors this year and looks ready for more. In the throws, watch for Carol Finsrud, the current Penthalon Throws, and Discus world record holder and Quenton Tolbert, the current M45 shot put world record holder. Also keep an eye on Irene Obera the 100M W80 (16.81) and Heptathlon world record holder, and the 2017 USATF Masters Athlete of the Year, Sabra Harvey, 69, current W65 world record holder in the 800M (2:39.61). Sabra will be running XC, 1500M and the 5000M.

The largest field in age groups representing the US is the 50-54 women with 30 individuals and the 50-54 men with 54! But by far the strongest is the 80-84 women with the current 4x400M world record (8:26.42) relay team reuniting. Mary Harada, Chistel Donley, Irene Obera, and Jeanne Daprano are joined by two very capable sprinters Carolyn Langenwalter and Rose Green, creating a very fast W80 group! Watch for them to shine in Malaga, as well as the rest of the talented #TeamUSATF!

We wish good luck to the over 8,000 athletes from all over the world!!

All athletes are subject to drug testing at the meet.

Press: Media contacts: Bob Wiener 301-283-0821, weinerpublic@comcast.net and Sandy Triolo, 240--258-8226, MTFCommChair@gmail.com

Links for more Information:
The main WMA Site for Malaga: https://wmamalaga2018.com/home-en/
The Full Timetable can be found here: https://wmamalaga2018.com/timetable/
All Results will be posted here: https://wmamalaga2018.com/results/
The List of American Athletes is here: https://tinyurl.com/y8alofr2

Cheer on #TeamUSATF and follow the results! Follow #WMAMalaga2018
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About USATF Masters:
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the national governing body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF Masters encompasses its over-30 division whose competitors exemplify lifelong fitness and competition. Visit the USATF website for more information at www.usatf.org

sandy triolo
USATF Masters Track & Field
240-258-8226
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