John Disterdick paddles on a Lookout Mountain Rowing sculling club boat he uses to excercise on the Tennessee River in 2017. Disterdick is an avid sportsman who was recently selected into the Tennessee Senior Olympics Hall of Fame (Contributed photo from John Disterdick).Local athlete John Disterdick will have a new title this year while traveling the world to compete in dozens of sporting events: Hall of Famer.
The Chattanooga resident was inducted into the Tennessee Senior Olympics Hall of Fame last month at a ceremony in Franklin, Tennessee. However, the induction doesn’t mean he’s ready to quit competing.
Disterdick, 76, has participated in a multitude of events for decades, often winning or placing on the podium. There’s the 10 world boxing titles, more than 100 triathlons, rowing events, cycling races, speed skiing, swimming and more. He has competed in more than a dozen track and field events, is an avid runner and has won a slalom skiing race. He keeps a record of his competitions and finishes on his website. In recent years, he believes he has medaled more than any athlete at the local and state Senior Olympics.
“I could end up being one of the most prolific master athletes of all-time because of all the different sports,” Disterdick said.
The multisport athlete will be traveling to Australia in September for the world triathlon championships before heading to Sarasota, Florida, later in the month for the 2018 World Rowing Masters Regatta.