Explore every episode of the podcast MainAthlet International – The Track & Field Podcast

In this exciting podcast episode, we welcome Alexis Holmes, the inspiring American professional athlete who transformed from a talented college runner into an Olympic gold medalist within just two years. Alexis shares her incredible journey, offering exclusive insights into her successful transition from collegiate athletics to the professional stage.

The episode provides a deep dive into the specific challenges and changes Alexis faced, including significant adjustments in training routines, dietary practices, and mindset. Particularly noteworthy is her remarkable transformation in body composition, resulting in a 30-pound weight loss to compete effectively at the professional level. Alexis discusses her nutritional strategy, highlighting her controlled calorie deficit and high-protein diet.

Regarding her training, Alexis reveals her preferred workouts, such as tempo 200s and race-model training, as well as her strategies for injury prevention and optimal recovery. Her mental routines and stress management techniques, especially during major events like the 2024 Olympics and the 2023 World Championships, offer valuable insights for athletes of all levels.

Additionally, Alexis shares personal advice, emphasizing the crucial lesson of trusting herself and ignoring external doubts. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in understanding how elite athletes train, nourish, and mentally prepare themselves for peak performance.

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Exclusive: Justin Gatlin on Mindset, Speed & the 2017 London Final

What does it take to deliver the race of your life when a stadium is against you? In this in-depth conversation, Olympic champion and World 100m gold medalist Justin Gatlin opens up about the 2017 World Championships final in London, how he handled the “mental warfare” of deafening boos, and why believing in the plan—and in yourself—is non-negotiable at the highest level.

We dive into mindset, habits, and the training details that kept Justin elite for two decades. You’ll hear how he rebuilt his approach to target the last 20 meters—switching from a start-dominant pattern to top-end speed work (think 120s, overspeed, patience under fatigue) that ultimately flipped the script. Justin shares the cues and structure behind his acceleration and max-velocity phases, why “discipline lies in the mind”, and the small rules he followed (no bending over between reps, nasal breathing, staying tall) to stack winning days.

On the strength & power side, Justin breaks down the weight room: sled pulls, progressive overload, heavy squats, bench PR cycles—and how he used them to dominate the first 50–60m. He highlights the triple-extension chain (calves–quads–glutes), explains why quads matter so much for early acceleration, and makes a case most athletes overlook: the shoulder caps and arm cadence are your real “motor” for sprint speed. For common technical issues (e.g., ankle stiffness, early knee extension), he offers practical fixes—from barefoot grass work to single-leg cable patterns—plus the cadence and posture themes that keep mechanics clean.

We also zoom out to the bigger picture: Justin shares fresh anecdotes—from a planned Spartan Race with Asafa Powell to how rivalries and friendships shape the athlete journey—and reflects on career highs (Athens 2004) and hard lessons (Beijing 2015).

Who it’s for: sprinters, coaches, speed enthusiasts, and any athlete who wants actionable insights on sprint training, acceleration, top-end speed, strength & conditioning, recovery habits, and competitive mindset.

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From HSI’s legendary sprint group to the Netflix docuseries Sprint, Ato Boldon has seen—and shaped—the sport’s evolution from every angle: Olympic medalist, world champion, and one of track & field’s most influential voices. In this episode, Ato opens up about the training culture that forged champions under coach John Smith, the “iron sharpens iron” reality of daily practice at UCLA, and why starting “late” at 16 may have saved his body and extended his prime.

We go deep on the workouts that built his 100/200m speed: high-quality 150s (5×150m with walk-back recovery, chasing 15-low) and the love-hate 300s (and why he still runs them). Ato breaks down the mental game, too—how to stay focused under Olympic-final pressure, why he wishes he’d “enjoyed the journey” more, and the exact conversation that pulled him through his toughest championship (Sydney 2000).

Ato also takes us behind the scenes of Sprint (Season 2), where he’s become “almost the voice of the series,” and explains why Paris 2024 felt like a historic high point for the sport. We unpack the sprint landscape ahead: why he’s betting on Julien Alfred to dominate the women’s 100m over the next cycle, what Sha’Carri Richardson must fix in her start, why Noah Lyles remains the man to beat in championship 100s, and how Letsile Tebogo and Kishane Thompson change the equation in the 200m and 100m respectively.

Technology matters, but context matters more. Boldon gives a measured take on super-shoes, records, and progress (“every era has its edge”), and shares what truly builds sustainable success: talent ID, the right coach, a real training group, and support systems that let athletes focus on work—not survival. You’ll hear the story that first pulled Ato from soccer to the track (“do you want a sport where you control the outcome?”), plus a Porsche-on-the-Autobahn anecdote from his 19.77 PB in Stuttgart that will make any sprint nerd smile.

Whether you’re a sprinter, coach, or fan, you’ll come away with practical takeaways: how to structure quality speed endurance, how to think about training age vs. biological age, how to use group competition without burning out, and how to balance ambition with joy. This is sprint wisdom from someone who’s lived all sides of it—athlete, analyst, and mentor.

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MainAthlet International – The Track & Field Podcast is the English edition of MainAthlet. Hosts Benjamin Brömme and Linn Kleine talk to world-class athletes, coaches and legends about training, recovery, nutrition, mindset, biomechanics and race preparation—from sprints to distance, jumps, throws and combined events.

Past guests include Ato Boldon, Justin Gatlin, Alexis Holmes and Maruša Mišmaš Zrimšek. Expect actionable insights you can use in your own training, plus context on the Olympics, World Championships, Diamond League and national highlights.

Subscribe now and leave a rating in Apple Podcasts—this helps more track & field fans discover the show. New English episodes drop regularly. Welcome to MainAthlet International: more performance, more understanding, more track & field.

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What keeps people in track & field for a lifetime — not just for a season?

In this episode of the MainAthlet International – Masters Special, host Boyke sits down with Margit Jungmann, President of World Masters Athletics (WMA), for an inside look at what makes Masters Track & Field so unique — and why it’s growing into a truly global movement. Margit shares her own journey from sprinter and heptathlete to international leader, and explains why she never stopped training even when she stepped away from competing. For her, the shift was simple: training became about health, consistency, and community, while her competitive energy moved into building structures that help thousands of Masters athletes thrive.

You’ll hear how Margit approached her early years as German team manager with one big mission: turning a collection of individuals into a real team — because representing your club, region, or country changes everything. She also explains the hidden leadership work behind Masters championships: creating clear guidelines, improving consistency from event to event, and balancing decisions that may be inconvenient for one athlete but necessary for the good of the entire field.

A major highlight: Margit breaks down the biggest global challenges for Masters athletics — especially travel distances, accessibility, and equal opportunity across continents. What’s “close” in Europe can be a multi-stop journey elsewhere, and that reality affects participation more than most people realize. She also opens up about one of the toughest strategic topics inside WMA: finding host cities and bidders for World Championships in a changing financial landscape — and why Masters events create serious economic impact for host regions through tourism, families, and extended travel.

Finally, Margit gets personal: her best experiences aren’t medals or titles — they’re friendships, trust, and the volunteer spirit that keeps Masters athletics running worldwide. The conversation ends with her three wishes for the sport… and for the world.

Keywords: Masters athletics, Masters track and field, World Masters Athletics (WMA), veteran athletics, track & field community, team management, championship hosting, global sport, athletics leadership, lifelong training, healthy aging, competitive sport after 35/40/50.

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What does it take to build a career that peaks at 8.21 metres, lands you in an Olympic final alongside Carl Lewis — and then, two decades later, leads to Masters world records? In this episode of the MainAthlet Podcast, host Boyke sits down with Swedish long jump legend Mattias Sunneborn for a wide-ranging, candid conversation about elite athletics, the realities of ageing as a high-performance athlete, and the mental frameworks that have driven him from a small island in the Baltic Sea all the way to the Olympic final in Atlanta.

Mattias grew up on the island of Gotland in Sweden — a place with no indoor track, limited resources, and tough winters. At fifteen, he made a defining choice: football or athletics. He chose the track. That decision led him to a boarding school in Bäckebo with an indoor arena, a great coach, and lifelong training partners — though the journey began under deeply painful circumstances, with his father passing away just one week before he moved.

In this episode, Mattias opens up about the moments that defined his elite career: his first jump over eight metres, the 1995 World Indoor silver medal, the 1996 European Indoor Championship gold won at home in Stockholm — he admits he cried — and the 8.21m jump in Malmö where he beat world record holder Mike Powell. Then, just weeks later, standing in the Olympic final in Atlanta alongside Carl Lewis, Ivan Pedroso, and James Beckford — seven of the ten best long jumpers in history.

But the conversation doesn't stop at the glory years. Mattias shares the full arc of a life in athletics: how he transitioned into Masters competition at thirty-five, why competing in multiple events (decathlon, 400m hurdles, triple jump) keeps him motivated, and how he coaches a group of over forty Masters athletes together with his training partner Peter Wallin. Their Sunday Zoom sessions cover training loads, sleep, nutrition, and mental strategies — everything it takes to keep performing at the highest level, regardless of age.

You'll also hear about the importance of rest and VO2 max for older athletes, the value of low-volume, high-intensity training (maximum five reps in the weight room), and Mattias's genuine enthusiasm for neuro-athletic training methods — using visual tools to activate muscles that most athletes don't even know they have.

Whether you're an elite track and field athlete, a Masters competitor, a coach, or simply someone who believes that sport is a lifelong journey — this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration. Mattias Sunneborn proves that the drive to compete, to improve, and to find meaning through athletics doesn't have an expiry date.

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Zoe Doyle is 47 years old, runs the 800m in 2:14, and is a double World Champion (WMA Gainesville) – but her path there is anything but ordinary.

At 35, she was hit by a car during a 10K race. The doctor said: it was a miracle she survived. Instead of stopping, she joined Belgrave Harriers – and began a career that now includes British records.

Then came an autoimmune hepatitis that nearly cost her life. Seven stress fractures. A COVID vaccine reaction. And yet: a British record in Pescara.

In this episode, Zoe speaks openly about:

- Why she only started running seriously at 35

- What's behind her three mantras: "Faith over Fear", "Joy in the driving seat" and "Never give up"

- How 7 stress fractures turned her into a life coach

- The difference between being 17 and 47 – and why she feels stronger today than ever before

- What makes Masters Athletics such a powerful longevity model

- Insider tips for the WMA World Championships in Daegu

Zoe now works as a life coach helping athletes avoid burnout, protect their nervous system and recognise their own worth – well beyond athletic performance.

An episode for everyone who wants to know: what holds us back from giving our best – and what doesn't?

🎙️ MainAthlet – The Athletics Podcast

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More at: https://www.mainathlet.de/podcast/international/

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The 15th European Indoor Masters Championships in Torun, Poland – and once again, the city delivered. Over 3,500 athletes from more than 15 countries gathered at one of Europe's fastest indoor tracks for a championship that has become a landmark event on the Masters Athletics calendar. Eight new world records. Nine European records. And a field so large that restaurants, bars and streets overflowed every evening after competition.

In this special episode of MainAthlet International, host Jan Boyke Seemann reports directly from Torun – and sits down with Italian multi-event athlete Alessandra de Robertis, competing in the W50 category despite battling a hamstring injury and back problems that had her questioning whether to show up at all.

Alessandra shares what it means to compete at the highest international level after years of building toward that first podium finish – her best result so far being fourth at the European Masters Indoor Championships in 2024. She talks about training five to six days a week between the track and the gym, her love for the heptathlon and pentathlon, and why that one international medal feels like the final piece of a long athletic journey.

Beyond the personal story, Boyke walks through the medal table, the standout performances and the atmosphere that makes Torun unlike any other Masters venue. Germany leads the medal standings with 210 medals, including 85 gold. Poland follows in second on home soil. Italy punches well above its weight with 50 medals, including 14 gold – from the 60m hurdles to the 400m and the triple jump.

Notable performances covered in this episode include Lionel Martinez burning a 6.96 in the 60m sprint, Anita Westlund dominating the 60m hurdles in the W85 category, and Iris Holder setting two new world bests in the long jump and triple jump. German athletes Andy Dittmar and Olaf Schumann added world records in the field events, while Marty Hermann claimed the pentathlon title with a lead of over 400 points.

This is Masters Athletics at its best – competitive, international, and full of stories that go far beyond the scoreboard. Whether you're a Masters athlete yourself, a fan of track and field, or simply someone who believes that sport has no expiration date, this episode is for you.

Topics covered: Masters European Indoor Championships 2026 · Torun athletics · Alessandra de Robertis interview · W50 pentathlon · Masters world records · Italian athletics team · Germany Masters Athletics · indoor track and field

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In this episode, we speak with Beatrice Puiu, a Romanian masters heptathlete who continues to compete at an exceptionally high level and is now chasing a major goal in masters track and field: the W40 heptathlon world record. This conversation goes far beyond competition results. It is about performance, identity, motherhood, longevity, recovery, and what it takes to stay strong, focused, and motivated in athletics over the long term.

Beatrice Puiu shares how her journey in track and field began in Romania, why the heptathlon became the perfect fit for her personality, and how different coaches influenced her development as a multi-event athlete. One of the strongest themes in this episode is her belief in quality over quantity. Instead of relying on endless training volume, she built her athletic system around high-quality sessions, technical precision, discipline, consistency, and smart recovery. For listeners interested in heptathlon training, masters athletics, women in track and field, high jump, hurdles, strength training, and athletic longevity, this episode offers both inspiration and practical value.

The episode also explores the personal side of elite sport. Beatrice speaks openly about becoming a mother at a young age, choosing family over outside pressure, and refusing to let medals or federation expectations define her worth. That mindset still shapes the way she trains and competes today. She is ambitious and highly competitive, but she is equally clear that sport is not her entire identity. One of the most powerful ideas in this conversation is that athletic success means much more when it is built on strong personal foundations.

Beatrice also breaks down how she currently trains as a masters athlete in the United States. She explains her weekly structure, why she prefers shorter and more focused sessions, how she approaches lifting, and why recovery has become one of the most important parts of her performance system. She talks about mobility work, active recovery, core training, recovery boots, and red light therapy, giving listeners a detailed look into how she maintains elite-level ability at 40.

This episode is ideal for athletes, coaches, and sports fans who care about masters heptathlon, track and field performance, sports mindset, recovery strategies, women in sport, and long-term athletic development. Beatrice Puiu’s story is a reminder that you can chase big goals, stay competitive, and keep growing in sport without losing yourself in the process.

If you are looking for a powerful conversation about heptathlon, masters athletics, world-record goals, family, recovery, and mindset, this episode is for you.

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In this English episode, we sit down with Valery Zhumadilov, one of the most fascinating figures in Masters athleticsright now. Born in Kazakhstan, trained through Estonia, and now helping build the future of Masters track and field in Kazakhstan, Valery shares how he went from road running and fitness training to becoming a competitive Masters sprinter with serious goals in the 100m, 200m, and even high jump.

What makes this conversation so interesting is not just Valery’s speed, but his philosophy. At 64, soon entering the M65 category, he is still chasing progress while staying brutally clear about one thing: health comes first. His approach to training is built around long-term performance, not ego. He explains why many older athletes feel strong but still hit limits when they push too hard, and why building a healthy base is the foundation for any sustainable result in Masters sprinting.

We also go deep into what his actual training looks like: three running sessions per week focused on speed, technique, and special endurance, plus strength work, plyometrics, coordination, mobility, and foot strength. He also talks about his belief in barefoot training, recovery through routine, and why consistency matters more than random hard sessions.

Beyond training, this episode opens a rare window into the development of Masters athletics in Kazakhstan. Valery explains the logistical and financial challenges of organizing competitions in such a massive country, how travel alone can take days, and why building a real system for older athletes matters. He also shares how he helped organize the Masters Athletics Federation in Kazakhstan, multiple championships, and an international tournament in Shymkent.

Mentally, Valery’s approach is just as strong. Instead of obsessing over medals or podiums, he focuses on process: waking up, breakfast, warm-up, race rhythm, and staying present. That mindset now fuels his next major goal: chasing an Asian record in the 200 meters.

This episode is for anyone interested in Masters athletics, sprint training, healthy aging, track and field performance, sports mindset, longevity, mobility, strength training for older athletes, and international athletics development. It is also a strong reminder that performance does not end with age. In some ways, it only becomes more intentional.

Keywords: Valery Zhumadilov, Masters athletics, Masters sprinting, over 60 athlete, sprint training, track and field, 200m, 100m, high jump, Kazakhstan athletics, healthy aging, sports longevity, barefoot training, mobility, plyometrics, mental preparation, Masters championships.

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World Masters Athletics Championships Daegu 2026 – August 22 to September 3.

In this episode, a representative from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC)

joins Boyke to give international athletes the inside track on everything

that matters: competition venues, shuttle buses, free transport cards for all

participants, training facilities, accommodation booking, medical and

physiotherapy services, and how the LOC is managing the heat.

But this is more than a logistics briefing. Daegu is about to become the first

city in history to host both the Indoor and Outdoor World Masters Athletics

Championships – a dream that started with the 2017 Indoor event and comes true

this summer. Our guest also shares personal tips for first-time visitors: where

to eat, what to see, a few Korean phrases that will get you far, and why the

Athlete Holiday programme is worth planning around.

If you're competing in Daegu or still deciding whether to register – this

episode is your starting point.

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Amanda Bisk is a former elite pole vaulter who represented Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. After being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome in 2011, she was forced to step away from competitive athletics entirely – and build something new.

What followed was a complete reinvention: yoga instructor, Pilates coach, personal trainer, CrossFit coach, and founder of a fitness app with over 600,000 Instagram followers. Now, at 40, she's back on the runway – jumping 3.85m in Masters pole vault and preparing for the World Masters Championships in Daegu.

In this episode, Boyke and Amanda talk about the identity crisis that comes with retirement, what longevity really means for a former elite athlete, and how coaching masters athletes compares to coaching professionals.

Topics covered: Masters athletics, chronic fatigue & recovery, pole vault technique, longevity training, building a fitness business, competing at 40+, World Masters Championships Daegu 2026.

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Damian Maxwell grew up in a town of 6,000 people in Jamaica. 

Today he teaches mathematics at a US college, coaches sprinters, 

pursues a PhD – and competes at masters athletics level on three 

continents.

In this episode of the MainAthlet International Podcast, Damian 

talks about the road from being a parish champion in Jamaica to 

winning bronze at the World Masters Games in Taiwan – in the 

triple jump, an event he had never seriously trained for.

He breaks down:

– How he walked away from track at 16 because of his faith 

 and came back a decade later with a fire nobody expected

– His training reality: self-coached, knee injury, PhD deadlines, 

 and still posting 11.2 in the 100m

– Why sub-11 in the 100m and sub-22 in the 200m are not dreams 

 but targets he's actively working toward

– How masters athletics became a mental health tool, a global 

 community, and a second career in content creation

– What he'd tell anyone on the fence about joining the masters 

 community: go for it

Damian also serves as PR representative for Jamaica Masters and 

is building visibility for a sport that most people discover far 

too late. His message is simple: your current situation does not 

dictate your final destination.

A conversation about faith, discipline, reinvention – and what 

it really takes to compete at the world level after 30.

Follow Damian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d.a_max/

Find all episodes at mainathlet.de

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Angela Bickel is a firefighter, a world champion in the weight throw — and the newest inductee into the USATF Masters Athletics Hall of Fame.

In this episode, we celebrate her 2026 Hall of Fame honor and revisit our conversation with Angela from the World Masters Athletics Championships, where she took W50 gold in the weight throw.

Her path to the top was anything but straight: gymnast turned hurdler, heptathlete turned shot putter, Olympic Trials qualifier at 29, firefighter for 17 years — and she didn't return to competition until she was 40.

Angela talks about the two kinds of adrenaline she lives with (butterflies in the ring vs. the rush of running into a fire), why it's never too late to find your event, and what drives her to keep competing at the highest level.

Plus: What is the USATF Masters Hall of Fame? We break down what it takes to earn this honor — and spotlight a few legends who came before Angela.

🏅 Topics: USATF Masters Hall of Fame, weight throw, shot put, masters athletics, firefighter athlete, W50, competing after 40

📩 Have a Hall of Fame in your country? Tell us! Email info@mainathlet.com or DM us on Instagram @mainathlet.

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He found two future Olympic finalists standing in his own driveway — before either of them owned a pair of spikes. Alan Sims has spent 50 years in track and field: as a 9-year-old who fell in love with the sport by accident, a high school record holder, a coach who's sent over 500 athletes to college, and now a 60-year-old masters sprinter and long jumper still competing at a world-class level. In this episode, Alan talks about: — How a knee injury ended his own college career before it started — The driveway conversation that led to coaching an Olympic family — Why recovery matters more at 60 than it did at 20 — The visibility problem holding masters athletics back from real sponsorship and reach If you've ever wondered what it takes to stay in a sport for five decades — and still find new reasons to love it — this one's for you.

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The World Masters Athletics Championships 2026 are underway in Daegu – and this event is about much more than medals and results.

In this episode of the MainAthlet International Podcast, Boyke reports directly from South Korea after the first days of competition. More than 100 nations have come together in Daegu, while around 20,000 spectators turned the opening ceremony into a spectacular show with K-pop, fireworks, drones and athletes marching into the stadium.

We talk about what makes the Masters Athletics community so special, why athletes from completely different countries immediately connect through sport and why Masters athletes deserve much more visibility and recognition.

Boyke also shares some behind-the-scenes stories from Daegu: finally getting his missing luggage back, meeting former MainAthlet International guests such as Amanda Bisk and Allan Simms in real life, the upcoming WMA Meet & Greet, the Global Slow Jog event and what he is looking forward to during the next days of competition.

And of course, there is plenty more to come from Daegu.

WORLD RECORD AT 81 🤯 https://youtube.com/shorts/pG2KuAfvNz4

🎙️ Follow MainAthlet International for more stories, interviews and updates from the World Masters Athletics Championships 2026.

▶️ You can also follow the championships on the MainAthlet International YouTube channel, with videos and interviews directly from South Korea.

#WMAC2026 #WorldMastersAthletics #MastersAthletics #Daegu2026 #TrackAndField

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Most master athletes think they need less food as they age — the opposite is true. Sports nutritionist Camila Parentes Santos joins MainAthlet International to break down what really changes in the body after 35: why protein needs go up, why the low-carb trend online is doing more harm than good, and how to stay properly hydrated when racing in extreme heat. A practical, evidence-based conversation for any athlete over 35 who trains hard and wants to recover smarter.

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Colleen Barney (WMA Treasurer & Legal/Finance Committee Chair) joins the show just weeks before Daegu 2026 to talk about what's really happening behind the scenes of World Masters Athletics — why the organization's reach is still tiny compared to individual athletes, why almost nobody wants to bid to host a World Championship anymore, what it actually costs to run one, and why communication might be the sport's biggest unsolved problem. Colleen also opens up about her own return from injury.

If you care about masters athletics, global sport organizations, or what it takes to run a world championship on a volunteer budget — this one's for you.

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The World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu keep delivering incredible stories.

In part two of our Daegu series, Benjamin Brömme catches up with Jan Boyke Seemann directly from South Korea.

One of our Masters Athletics videos has now reached more than one million people, showing just how much potential there is around the stories, personalities and performances in Masters sport. 

We also talk about some of the most emotional moments of the championships, outstanding sprint performances, world records, the incredible atmosphere inside the stadium and the extreme heat the athletes are dealing with. 

Another familiar name returns: former MainAthlet Podcast guest Beatrice Puiu, who Boyke has also supported as a coach, is competing in Daegu and adding another remarkable chapter to her Masters career. 

And away from the track, there was major news at the WMA General Assembly: Lima will no longer host the 2028 World Masters Athletics Championships. Breda in the Netherlands is set to take over, while Houston was selected for 2030. 

We also discuss the new Gallery of Champions, life behind the scenes at the championships – and whether Boyke is actually getting any sleep at all.

If you enjoy athletics stories from around the world, follow the MainAthlet Podcast International and subscribe so you don't miss the next update from Daegu.

Topics in this episode:

World Masters Athletics · WMA Daegu 2026 · Masters Athletics · Breda 2028 · Sprinting · World Records · Beatrice Puiu · Gallery of Champions · Athletics Social Media

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WMA Daegu 2026 is delivering performances that challenge almost everything we think we know about ageing, speed and competitive sport.

In this episode of MainAthlet International, Benjamin and Boyke look back at some of the most remarkable moments from the World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu — from brutal weather conditions in the decathlon to world-class sprinting, incredible relay teams and an athletics community that stretches across more than 100 countries.

One of the biggest stories is Kenton Brown. At 81 years old, he ran 100 metres in 14.16 seconds — and the video of his performance exploded across social media, reaching more than 5.5 million views. Benjamin and Boyke discuss what makes a performance like this so extraordinary and why Masters Athletics can connect with millions of people far beyond the traditional track and field audience. 

The sprint level throughout Daegu has been exceptional. From fast M35 performances to athletes over 80 still producing remarkable speed, the championships show how much athletic ability can remain even decades beyond an athlete’s traditional peak years. The relays produced another unforgettable image: four athletes aged 85, 86, 88 and 92 competing together — a combined age of 351 years. 

But this episode is about much more than results.

Boyke describes athletes from countries all over the world hugging, exchanging jerseys, supporting one another and reconnecting at international championships. His description of Masters Athletics is simple: the athletes compete seriously, but they are ultimately there because they genuinely love athletics.

The conversation also looks ahead. After Breda 2028, the World Masters Athletics Championships are heading to Houston in 2030 — and Boyke believes the United States could take Masters Athletics to a completely new level of media attention and visibility. 

Finally, the episode turns to perhaps the strongest symbol of the entire championship: a 106-year-old athlete from Thailand still travelling internationally and competing in throwing events. It leads to a simple takeaway about longevity: nutrition, hydration and recovery matter — but none of them replace movement.

Topics include: World Masters Athletics Championships, WMA Daegu 2026, Masters Athletics, 100m sprint, sprint training, longevity, healthy ageing, athletics community, track and field, world records, relay racing, Breda 2028 and Houston 2030.

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