92-year-old sprinter pipped at the post by 99-year-old rival
They can’t remember where they met, but these two men in their 90s have a fierce on-track rivalry when it comes to the 60-metre dash!
Dixon Hemphill, 92, was upset when rival Orville Rogers, 99, beat him by 0.05 seconds for the fourth time in a row at the USATF Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships.
Hemphill told Runner's World if only he had leaned at the end he may have kept his lead.
Rogers, meanwhile, says he won with the help of a visualisation technique he uses before every race.
‘I started years ago visualizing success in whatever race I participate in,’ he said.
‘That’s still my objective: I train hard and I visualize crossing the finish line out in front. And I work at it pretty consistently. It’s very rewarding to be able to accomplish what you set out to do.’
The pair also faced off in the 200, 400, 800, and 1600 metre races, where Hemphill crossed the line ahead of Rogers.
‘I guess he has the speed and I have the distance,’ Hemphill chuckled.
