Tomlinson sets American age-group record in 44-lb throw - Wins ultraweight pentathlon, weight and superweight throw

Fallbrook’s Doug Tomlinson set an American age group record in the 44-pound weight throw during the ultraweight pentathlon October 6 in Seattle.

Tomlinson also won the ultraweight pentathlon, finishing first in all five events, and he also won the 16-pound weight throw and the 35-pound superweight throw.

“I did pretty good there,” Tomlinson said.

“Once I won the first two [the 16-pound and 35-pound throws], I knew I’d won the other one,” Tomlinson said. “The surprise was setting the American record.”

Tomlinson, who turned 75 in January, competes in the 75-79 age group. He won the weight throw with a distance of 13.58 meters and took first in the superweight throw with a toss of 8.04 meters.

Those two distances were used as his 16-pound and 35-pound throws in the ultraweight pentathlon. He then threw the 44-pound weight 5.82 meters to break the American record for his age group.

“Anytime you set a record you know all your hard work’s been paying off,” Tomlinson said. “It’s good to be recognized.”

Tomlinson then competed in the 56-pound weight toss. Each participant is allowed four throws for each weight, and on the third throw Tomlinson passed the one competitor ahead of him. Tomlinson finished with a distance of 5.08 meters for the 56-pound weight.

Tomlinson then completed the ultraweight pentathlon by throwing the 98-pound weight 2.81 meters.

Tomlinson has 16-pound and 35-pound weights at home but didn’t throw the 44-pound, 56-pound, or 98-pound weights prior to the meet. “These weights are hard to train with because not too many people have them,” Tomlinson said. “You don’t get the technique to throw it with.”