Berry strikes Masters gold

Masters athlete Peter Berry with some of his medal haul.

Crystal Spencer

PETER Berry has more medals, than Tiger Woods has … trophies.

He has a massive 292 to be exact.

And it’s that imposing collection that drives the 74-year-old to train three days a week, most weeks of the year.

“I’ve considered giving it up and taking it easy,” Berry said.

“But then last week I tallied up all my medals and realised I can crack 300.”

Not in an inactive sport either.

Berry is an athlete, a nine-time Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games gold medallist in Hobart last month.

He took out the over-70 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, long, high and triple jumps, and 80m hurdles, setting new records – to go with his many others– in the 400m and 1500m.

“I put in six months’ solid training in Kingscliff and Tweed and lost 7kg,” he said.

“That’s the best part about it all, the fitness, and being able to still be so physically and mentally healthy at my age.”

Amazingly, he achieved the same success at the corresponding event in Coffs Harbour in 2008.

More than 2000 competitors took part in 45 events in Hobart but none matched Berry’s feats.

The West Tweed local will next compete at the Asia Pacific Games on the Gold Coast in November.