BY SCOTT
HADDOW
Tom Black needed some rest and relaxation from his job in
February so he decided to pack his bags and take his family on
a trip to his homeland.
Black, now 51, grew up in Scotland and came to Canada in 1981
to "find a future." He's been a millwright and lived in Sudbury
for 17 years.
He was planning on visiting family and old friends and enjoying
his time off. Instead he ended up taking part in one of
Scotland's most prestigious sporting events, the Scotland
Masters Open Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Black won two gold medals at the championships, one in the long
jump and the other, the triple jump.
"I was planning the trip around the games so I could compete,"
said Black. "It was the first masters I've done. It showed me I
could still compete and have fun while doing it. Winning wasn't
my objective...participating and having fun was. Winning was
just an extra bonus. Winning the gold medals was a good
accomplishment."
Black is no stranger to great success in his homeland. As a
youngster, Black competed yearly in major events in Scotland.
He's a four-time Scottish champion in the triple and long jump
events. In the 70s, Black won four gold medals at the youth,
junior and senior levels.
"I was a member of the Scotland national squad for seven
years," said Black. "I went to two Commonwealth Games Trials
and one Olympic Trials event.
"The recent wins give me a complete set of gold medals across
four levels. I'll keep doing this until I can't do it
anymore."
On top of winning two gold medals, Black found time to see
friends and family.
"It was a good visit...I saw people I hadn't seen in 30 years,"
said Black.
Black has bigger plans on the burner.
"I would like to compete at the 2009 World Masters Games in
Sydney, Australia," said Black. "It's a long way off...I would
like to stay fit enough to participate."
When he's not training or working, Black helps coach track
athletes at Lasalle Secondary School and with the Dharma Sports
Science Group.
