The veteran athlete has a lifetime of experience on the track under his belt - and is keen to test himself against some of the best in the world.

One of the attractions of the World Masters Games for Andrew, 51, is the chance to challenge himself against top quality opposition.

“From an athlete’s point of view, there is a limited amount of competition at masters level in your local area,” he says.

“It’s great just to have a competitive environment and the chance to race against more people at the same level.”

Andrew competed at state level as a middle distance runner and 400m hurdler and made it to the Australian Championships in his younger days.

But in later life he has moved into the decathlon and has become a regular representative for Australia at four World Masters Athletics Championships and the World Masters Games held in Brisbane.

Andrew Brooker is a Masters veteran. Photo by Graeme Dahl.

 

“It’s like going on a holiday with some like-minded friends,” he says.

“It’s an opportunity to tour the place you’re going to and then hang out with the guys you’re competing with - and support them.”

The 2021 World Masters Games will start in Kansai on May 14, 2021, running until May 30. It’s the first time the event has been held in Asia and organisers are pulling out all the stops to ensure its success.

With events across the Kansai region in Fukui, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori and Tokushima, it is open to entrants at all levels aged around 30 or over.

In the nine WMG events since the first in Toronto in 1985, more than 170,000 competitors have taken part, and it’s predicted the 10th edition in Japan could see a record number of entrants.

Featuring 35 sports and 59 disciplines, the organisers expect around 50,000 competitors and some 200,000 participants, enjoying sports as diverse as traditional track, field and team events but also dragon boat racing, tenpin bowling, tug of war and gate ball.

Entries are open now until February 28, 2021 – but each event has a strict limit on the number of competitors and it’s strictly first come, first served.

And Japan is especially appealing for Perth-based Andrew.

“With Japan, you don’t have the time difference issues for Australia that you do elsewhere in the world,” he says.

“It’s a lot more tempting to go to Japan – and I’ve never been there before either. I’m very tempted…”

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