New Masters World Record for Simon Poelman

 
Simon Poelman at training in New Zealand and at the victory ceremony in Osnabrück

Last weekend on 26/27 June at the regional championships of Niedersachsen/Germany Simon Poelman from New Zealand smashed the M40 Masters World Record of Wolfgang Linkmann GER who scored age graded 7789 points in 1981.
Simon Poelman scored impressive age graded 8277 points (7180 points non-age graded score)
His results are: 11,63/+0.6 6,73/+1.3 15,20 1,92 53,58 15,24/-1.3*) 40,31 4,50 55,52 4:54,42
*) age graded hurdles height
The full results can be found at here.

 

His first approach to the Masters World Record Simon did last year at the national Championships in Reutte/Austria. He started there with very good 11,44 in the 100 Meters but injured in the long jump and later had to quit. His first international success he had in 1987 - there he placed 6th at the World Championships, and with his season best of 8366 points he was ranked 4th in the World-List. His last competition before his comeback he did in 1998 at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, where he placed 11th with 7425 points. After this event Simon got into serious troubles, and it took him a long time, to find back to Athletics.

In the european winter Simon competed at the national Championships in New Zealand. With age graded 7603 he came close to the world record. But he had problems with his calf, so he missed the record.

At 12/13 June in Landquart/SWZ this year he started his second Decathlon. The weather was bad there an he no highted in the High Jump. But Simon already showed that he was ready for the Masters Record with the events he did:
11,40/+3.6 6,48/+1.1 14,84 nh 55,40 15,18/+3.2 39,23 dns

Interview with Simon:

Where you surprised about the high score, or did you expect a results like this ?
I was just wanting to get the record as it has been a frustrating time for me with injuries etc. so a bit surprising I got this high score but also new I could go this high and even higher in the future.

How much did you train for the record ?
This record has been a priority for me in my life lately but with age and injuries I could not train as much as when a international athlete in the past. I think I trained just over half as much and have worked out that. I can not run or sprint 2 days in a row. This training method is working well for me and along with regular massages and stretching I think I can go over 7500 pts.

How long do you think will it be possible for you to stay at a level of +7000 points (without age grading) ?
I do not know how much longer I will do the decathlon but can not see why not that I could not do a 7000 pt deca in another 4-5 years.

At the begin of your comeback you where plagued by many injuries - is this better now, do you think it was because your body needed some time to get used to the training again ?
I think my injuries were from not enough care with massages and running 2 days in a row and not giving calfs and achilles time to recover.

What are your plans for this season and for the next season - will you do some more Decathlons and try to better your record ?
At the moment I am enjoying my success but like the idea of doing another decathlon at the end of August begin September to raise it over 7500 points.
I have also had an aim of competing indoors in the heptathlon. I have never done this due to timing and where I live and feel I would do very well at this event as no 400 and no Javelin but shorter sprints which will suit me. I believe I could even be good enough to go to a world championship level because of this in the open event.

You live now in Germany, the winter you spend in New Zealand - will you go back in the winter to compete in New Zealand ?
I will stay here in Munster/Germany with my lovely girlfriend Ute for the rest of the European Summer then maybe compete in New Zealand but maybe prepare in NZ for indoor attempt in February/March. I feel that Ute has been a big positive influence in my recent success and know we can even do more things together as we make a good team.

Do you think th New Zealand medias will report about your World Record also?
New Zealand will report on this success but there will be a little delay as I have not been in touch with them on all of this.

You told me one time you want to write a book about your life, and your comeback in sports - how concrete are your plans now ?
I have had a lot people saying a book on the ups and downs of Simon Poelmans life would interesting and maybe this will happen but I like the idea of a Story on TV about the ups and downs of my life. My life has certainly been colourful and exciting but not always happy and I have put myself in situations I wished I was not in. This recent success was a geat feeling for me to be able to come back from all my troubles and not give up my dreams and love for the sport.
New Zealand has been interested in doing a story on my life and I am sure this will happen. I have been reluctant to talk to the media as at times they are only in it for themselves but I am sure the story will be told but by me.
I do not have any concrete plans but would like to be involved in the telling of the Simon Poelman story and continue to achieve more success in the sport I love for another 12 months.

I would also like to thank my best friend Emeric for his continued support and encouragement with my world record goal.
On almost a daily basis he phoned me from California talking to me sometimes for hours keeping me motivated and going over the training I had done that day and giving suggestions for the next days training. Also my dear friend Karen - also from California - who has been there as a friend for a me thru all the ups and downs of our long friendship.


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