This unparalleled achievement in Canadian Masters Racewalking is accompanied by 3 gold medal performances in WAVA meets in 1983 and 1989, including 2 first overall wins while racing in the M45 category.
It was a work-related injury in 1979 that led Jaan to switch from distance running to racewalking. While still at the peak of his competitive career he also began coaching racewalking, helping athletes from beginners to the Olympian level.
Other contributions to the racewalk community include starting the Ontario Racewalkers Association; organizing racewalk events including an age-graded meet that now takes place on Toronto Island; and, since 2006, serving as a judge at open and masters racewalking meets. As for his coaching, his goal is to help the next tier of athletes to “improve those of my records that are still standing.
At present those athletes have 17 records to aim for. And there may be more, if Jaan is able to continue his career as an M75 racewalker, thanks to knee replacement surgery in 2011.
For his many accomplishments and contributions we congratulate Jaan, and welcome him into the Canadian Masters Athletics Hall of Fame.
PS – I greatly enjoyed Jaan's closing remark: “If I ever die, I shall be happiest if all those records are broken by that time.” (Diane Palmason, President Canadian Masters Hall of Fame)”
