The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH he's moved up in age category, multiple age group men's masters world indoor and outdoor record holder Timothy Munnings is eager to compete in his second World Masters Athletics Championships.

Munnings, who just turned 60, will be the lone Bahamian competing in the men's 60-64 age group at the championships that got underway last night with the opening ceremonies at the Daegu Stadium in Daegu, South Korea. 

He is coming off his last World Masters in 2024 in Gothenburg, Sweden, where he won the men's 55-59 gold medal in the 400 metres. But at his last global competition in Gainesville, Florida, on March 30, 2025, Munnings set the indoor 400m M55-59 world record of 52.82.

Munnings also holds the M35 division 400m world record that he set in June, 2001 in New Providence with a time of 45.81 and his M55-59 outdoor record from February 15, 2025, also in New Providence, stands at 51.18.

Before he ventured into the masters competition, Munnings represented The Bahamas on a number of national teams as a member of the 4 x 400m relay team that won the bronze at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, gold at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada, and bronze at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.

As the only member of those teams still competing, Munnings said he would definitely like to add a few medals to his collection from this week's World Masters in Daegu, which hosted the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics.

"Things are going great. I'm just trying to adjust to the time difference," Munnings said. "But anytime I get to represent the 242, it's an honour and a privilege.

"I'm used to travelling with a team, but this is a little different. I'm lonely, but I'm focused on what I've been preparing for, so that's not a problem."

Munnings, whose first appearance at the World Masters was in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2024, will have some support on the sidelines as his wife Ruth is there as his travelling partner, massage therapist, photographer, manager and encourager.

But unlike his initial appearance when he only contested the men's masters 55 age group in the 200 and 400 metres, winning the gold medal in the latter, Munnings will have triple duties as he will add the 100 and the 200m to his specialty when he contests the masters 60 age group.

"Because of the distance that it took to travel all the way here, it didn't seem practical to just run in one event," Munnings said. "And in the event, if something happens, it would not have been a good trip for me.

"So I've prepared. I've had a good training session leading up to the competition, so I'm confident that I will be able to perform well in all of those events. My conditioning is ready and my speed is there, so I think I can handle it."

In preparation for the trip, Munnings said local coach Bernard Newbold and his stable of young sprinters have been pushing him to the limit.

"Whenever I compete, I am very competitive," Munnings said. "Even though I will be competing against most of the best masters' athletes in the world, my expectations are to come back with gold, gold, gold.

"I'm going to give it my best and I'm focused on my Olympic training and so I expect to do very well in all of the events, even though my focus will be on the 400m."

Munnings said he hopes that he can continue to inspire more athletes to compete in the masters category, which has a competitors listed as old as 106 from Thailand competing,

"I am encouraged to continue in this sport because of the tremendous words of encouragement from around The Bahamas," Munnings stressed.

"I hope that through my performances I am able to inspire other persons to become active. Recognise that age alone should not be the limiting factor of pursuing dreams or being active. You will be judged by persons if you do and if you don't. So do it for yourself."

Inspired by the support from the Bahamian people from Bimini to Inagua and especially his family, including his four children, Timothy Jr, Alecia, judokan Andrew (based in Georgia, Europe) and Aaron.

"Hard work, discipline and consistency are all factors that help me excel," Munnings pointed out. "At the end of the competition I expect to be on the podium for each event I run in.

"Many are here for camaraderie, but for me, I am here to be the best, not just to say I participated."

Here's a look at Munnings' competition timetable (Bahamas time) this week:

 *100m*

Today: 9:30pm heats. Saturday, August 22: 1:05pm semis. Sunday, August 23: 2am Finals

 *200m* 

Wednesday, August 26: 9:15pm heats. Friday, August 28: 2:45am semis. Friday, August 28: 4:20am final.

 *400m* 

Saturday, August 29: 3:45am heats. Saturday, August 29: 9pm semis. Tuesday, September 1: 2:30am final.