Winifred Harding (Taieri) broke her first Otago throwing record as a 15-year-old. She is still breaking records 40 years later.
Harding (55), a Dunedin orthodontist, has re-written the Otago masters record book since turning 55 last month. Her records in the women's age 55 grade are shot put (9.01m and 9.26m), discus (21.95m), hammer throw (33.54m), weight throw (11.74m).
Harding showed promise when she was coached by her father at the Mornington club when she was a schoolgirl. After a break of a few years, she returned as a masters athlete and has played a key role in the women's throwing events by giving encouragement to younger athletes.
Four of her records came at the South Island masters championships in Invercargill.
Otago masters athletes have broken 31 Otago records this season and 12 of them were also New Zealand records.
The most prolific record-breaker has been Myrtle Rough (Hill City), who has broken seven New Zealand records in the women's aged 70 grade.
Michael Scholten (Taieri), in the men's aged 30 grade, has broken five New Zealand records: discus (28.20m), hammer throw (30.38m), javelin (37.95m), weight pentathlon (1875 points) and shot put (9.94m).
Dalise Sanderson (Ariki) has broken six track records in the women's age 55 grade: 800m (2min 57.20sec and 2min 51.63sec), 1500m (5min 47.43sec), 3000m (12min 30.03sec), 1500m (5min 39.85sec), and 3000m (12min 19.21sec).
A newcomer to the record breaking is retired George Street Normal School principal Danny Knudson (Leith) who has set marks in the men's aged 70 3km track walk (20min 33.70sec, 19min 45.56sec and 19min 34.65sec).
The other record-breakers are Barbara Patrick (women's 60) 10,000m (45min 49.15sec) and Liz Wilson (women's aged 45) 100m (13.41sec).
