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Published on January 02, 2025
At age 60, hall-of-famer Bonnie Edmondson ’87 has added another remarkable achievement to her storied throwing career. On August 19, she captured first place in the World Master’s Athletic Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a hammer throw of 136' 11", securing her status as the world champion in the 60-64 age group.
This triumph comes after Edmondson’s impressive victory in the USA Track & Field Master’s Championships in Sacramento, CA, just a month earlier, where she threw 135' 3" to take first place in her division. Notably, she achieved these incredible feats despite having undergone two hip replacements.
Edmondson’s return to competitive throwing started a year ago when she dusted off her old hammer, glove and shoes, driven by a renewed desire to test her skills. She credits her success to a rigorous training regimen that includes physical therapy, massage, stretching, ice baths and rest.
Her long-time coach, Bill Southerland of Southern Connecticut State University, has been instrumental in guiding her, just as he has for the past 30 years. Together, they train twice a week, while Edmondson also works on her own, incorporating weightlifting and plyometrics into her routine.
Reflecting on her decision to compete again, Edmondson said, “I just turned 60. I always wanted to compete internationally. I said, ‘if not now, when?’ Plus, I feel that competing will help me be a better coach.”
Her recent victories add to an already illustrious career. As a two-time All-American in discus and hammer throw at Eastern, Edmondson won national championships in the hammer throw in 1990 and 1991. In 1992, she placed third in the U.S. Olympic Trials, but hammer throw for women wouldn’t debut in the Olympics until 2000.
Written by Edward Osborn