Sports Year in Review
By Scott
Haddow
Greater Sudbury firefighter Jim Kolar is a world champion.
Kolar competed the 2007 Los Angeles Scott Firefighter World
Championship Combat Challenge in the Over 45 age category.
He took first place in the individual event with a time of
1:45.87.
He also won first place in the men's tandem for the Over 45
division.
"I went there to win it," Kolar said. "It was a sweet thing to
accomplish...it's my first time winning it."
Kolar has managed two third place finishes in past world
championships events.
"I slowed down during the victim rescue part," Kolar said. "But
I had built up a big enough lead to hold on to first place. It
feels really good. It didn't feel too good the next day after
celebrating."
Fellow Sudbury firefighter Eric Pichette also competed in a
younger age category. He qualified for the finals, but didn't
win a top three spot.
"Eric did a great job, considering it was his first year at the
worlds," Kolar said.
Besides bragging rights, Kolar won two gold rings for his first
place results.
"The difference this year was my years of experience and
practice," Kolar said.
Kolar wanted to be the best in the world. Prior to the event,
he talked about how much he committed to being one of the best
and he was going to prove it.
"I was hoping to win it and set an new personal best
time...maybe a world record time," the 45-year-old said. "I
wouldn't be going if I didn't want to win. I've committed a lot
of time and training to this...I have high expectations."
Both Kolar and Pichette earned the praise of their bosses, who
like they take the initiative to better themselves in different
forms.
"These guys do it all on their own time...they're wonderful
role models for anyone," Greater Sudbury Fire Services Chief
Donald Donaldson said. "They represent us extremely well. We're
all proud of them...it has raised the level of fitness in our
entire department."
