Elfrīda Karlsone

For the best part of a decade Elfrīda Karlsone was the best all-round track and field athlete in Latvia with her winning 33 national titles and breaking more than 50 records. Karlsone’s incredible achievements included nine consecutive titles in the javelin (1923–31), eight consecutive shot put titles (1924–31), seven discus titles (1925–31), three long jump titles (1923–24, 1927), and multiple titles in relay races. A consistent performer, she set more than 50 Latvian records across nine disciplines, including the 60 metres, 200 metres, 4 x 60 metres, 4 x 100 metres, high jump, long jump, shot put, discus throw, and the javelin throw. She competed in the discus throw at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics but finished a disappointing 14th, with a best effort of 30.60 metres.

Outside of athletics Karlsone worked as a physical education teacher in Rīga. In 1944 she emigrated to Germany before then moving to Canada after the end of the war. She continued to work in education, becoming the women’s sports director at the University of Western Ontario. Her skills, leadership, and success transferred to the women’s volleyball team, with them winning the Canadian Student Championship on more than ten occasions.

Personal Best: DT – 35.58 (1928).