Competing Well

Jeff was the best in Texas, and when he stepped into the ring, everybody took notice. With effortless grace, he could send the discus flying out of sight.

When Tom came to town, the challenge was set. The former Olympian from Montana loved to compete. The hammer was his event, but Tom could throw all the implements with a grace and power that left us slack-jawed-gaping.

They each had four throws. Jeff went first and launched a throw just over 162 feet. Tom went next and threw one out further than Jeff’s effort by almost a foot. The next round brought a look of determination to Jeff’s normally placid demeanor. Jeff’s throw was about a foot farther than his first just inches ahead of Tom.

Tom stepped into the ring expressionless, and as he turned and drove across the ring, he unwound with such powerful force that his right foot came around and brushed the top of the ring after he released the discus.

The red flag went up, and the official shouted,“Foul!”

The third throw from each competitor was shorter than their earlier efforts. So the final round had Jeff ahead of Tom by four inches.

Jeff entered the ring relaxed with a focused view out into the field. As he pivoted in the back of the ring, he drove across the circle and reversed his body position as he landed with his right foot just in front of the center point. His left leg blocked, he untwisted his body with tremendous force, and his arm followed long and relaxed. When he let go of the discus, it floated in a trajectory across the field. The crowd stood and cheered in disbelief.

The discus struck the ground 165 feet away, and Jeff had unleashed the best throw of the day. The crowd exploded again when the measurement was read.

Now Tom had one final throw. We all new that Tom’s passion and talent were in the hammer event. This discus was just something Tom did at meets. When he calmly entered the ring, a fierce expression crossed his face and his graceful move through the ring produced an effortless throw.

When it landed, the crowd gasped. The measurement revealed Tom as the winner. His throw was two inches longer than Jeff’s best effort. The crowd responded with a collective gasp.

The disbelieving witnesses laughed nervously, but they couldn’t help celebrate what they had seen. Two athletes competing and finding a new level of performance to overcome, the competition is always exciting. When both athletes are in their mid-sixties, it’s awe-inspiring.

Photograph "Thin Glass" used with permission via Flickr.