Doyle breaks Masters world mark

A Timaru Boys’ High School visual arts teacher has ranked fourth in the world after breaking the Masters 50-plus age group decathlon record.

Wayne Doyle’s interest in athletics began as a teenager, and now at the age of 55, feels on top of the world with his 6740-point score gained at the Athletics Canterbury South Island Combined Events Competition and Senior Interclub held at the Nga Puna Wai Sports Hub in Christchurch last weekend. He was 12th overall against all ages.

‘‘I haven’t got many more decathlons in my body it’s taking longer for recovery,’’ Doyle said.

He went on to list his injuries from calves feeling like golf balls to a ruined wrist from javelin, the shoulder isn’t so good and ankles have been broken pole vaulting in the past as well as a ruptured sciatica from hurdles. Despite this he still has a keen interest in the 10-discipline event.

‘‘I like to see what my body is capable of and push it to the max.’’

He has meticulously kept a record of his times, and heights over the years and trains with explosive sprints, running fast for 100 metres then resting for the next 100m. He runs up and down the Caroline Bay Piazza steps eight times a session as well.

The decathlon includes a 100-metre sprint, long jump, and hurdles and is designed to show the best over-all athlete. Doyle’s results include a 1.51m high jump, a 40m javelin throw and a 3m clearance in the pole vault.

He thinks he will retire from decathlons when his body lets him know it’s over. The mature athlete has not decided what his next competition will be yet but is considering the world champions in Japan next year.

In the women’s heptathlon event, Christina Ryan was second in the under-20 section. She achieved personal bests in the high jump with 1.58m and in the shot put with 11.30m.