Shields is still going strong as 63-year-old continues to shine in the world of athletics
Local legend Dave Shields says he’s still going strong in the world of athletics at the age of 63.
Shields, a familiar face at Monks Lane, where he is a touch judge, picked the wrong weekend to miss his beloved Newbury Blues – who won for the first time since October – but had good cause to do so as the veteran attended the Welsh Senior Indoor Championships in Cardiff.
Due to the unprecedentedly large number of entries, Shields was competing in the senior men’s category, which saw him triple jumping against fellow masters athletes as well as under-20s.
He managed a creditable sixth-placed finish with a jump of 8.18m; Shields said his effort was “fairly modest” but it was nevertheless a step in the right direction in his first competition since September.
The typically affable triple jumper was also presented with his gold medal for being crowned Welsh Masters Indoor champion.
Shields can now look ahead to a busy February, with his next competition at the VAC Indoor Championships held on February 11 and swiftly followed by the GB Indoor Masters over the weekend of February 17-18. Both competitions will be held at Lee Valley, Enfield.