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Sports

WI Resident Competes in Long Island Senior Games

Richard Janson throws discus in Senior Games

West Islip's Richard Janson competed in the 2010 Senior Games at Suffolk County Community College on Saturday June 12. Janson, 74, has been competing for the past 10 years with a specialty in discus throw and shot put toss. The Long Island Senior Games allows any senior, age 50 and older, to compete in a wide range of sports from discus, fencing, racquetball, horseshoes, to a triathlon.

Janson has been competing in the discus throw and shot put toss since 1999. The discus throw is an event in the track and field competition in which an athlete attempts to throw a heavy disc farther than all other competitors. 

To throw the discus, a competitor starts in a concrete circle that is about 8 feet, 2 1/2 inches in diameter. The thrower starts by taking a stance facing away from the direction of the throw, then spins counter-clockwise one and a half times through the concrete circle to build momentum, and releases the throw. The competitor must not exit the circle until the discus, which ways about 1 kg., has landed in the playing field. Whichever competitor throws the disc the farthest wins.

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The shot put toss is similar to discus throw. Competitors again take their throw from inside a circle. The competitor must rest the ball close to the neck and keep it tight to the neck while throwing. For Janson's age group the ball weighs about 4 kg. If the competitor allows the ball to drop below his shoulder during the toss, or does not pause within the circle before beginning the throwing motion, the shot will not count. You must also remain in the circle until the ball has been marked.

About 10 years ago around December, Janson's family asked him what he would like for Christmas. Janson told them he wanted discus or shot put equipment. "I just decided to pick it up that year," he said.

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His family granted his wish and Janson began his training. He practices in his free time behind the West Islip Library working on his technique and distance.

Not only does Janson compete on Long Island, he travels to Florida to compete in other games. This year in the Florida Senior Games in the City of Cape Coral, Janson won the discus event. The city encourages seniors to consider participating in the games for their fitness, health and wellness.

Last July, Janson had a brain operation which kept him sidelined from his hobby for a few weeks. He had his hesitations coming back, but decided to compete once again.

"This year is a comeback year," Janson said. "A lot of guys have problems, [such as] strokes, heart attacks, and fatigue."

He has had a problem with his balance and motion but he working hard to improve all areas of his game.

Janson's best discus toss was two years ago in the Empire State Senior Games in White Plains, NY. He tossed the circular disc an impressive 113 feet. His shot put toss of 32 feet has also won him a few competitions in the past. Janson's athletic triumph doesn't stop there. He boasts a marathon time of 3:45:00.

Janson urges all seniors to consider competing in the Long Island Senior Games. On the website, longislandseniorgames.org, website officials posted a motivating title. "You don't stop playing because you grow old, you grow old because you stop playing."

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