An athletic octogenerian who once missed out on a place at the Olympic Games because of a famous diplomatic row has proved age is no barrier to glory after he broke a British record for hammer throwing.

Warwick Dixon, 80, of Dartford Road, Horton Kirby, threw 35.87 metres at Dartford Harriers Athletic Club during an open meeting last Wednesday beating the previous record for an 80-year-old British man of 35.44.

He achieved the feat in the run-up to the British Masters Championships in Birmingham over the weekend and a month before the World Masters Athletics in Lyon as he looks to continue his impressive streak.

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Mr Dixon practises at Westminster Field, a park close to his home.

He cycles there and back with his hammer in tow and sets out a reflective warning triangle before launching it out of the way from walkers and other users.

He began throwing the hammer while he was in the RAF on national service when they needed another athlete to fill a remaining spot.

Before that he excelled in both discus throwing and the hurdles.

Video: Warwick Dixon has broken the hammer throwing record

In 1956, as a highly-rated 21-year-old, he was told by British leading hammer coach Dennis Cullum that he had a place to compete for GB at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne but he arrived late at the Games because of the unfolding Suez Crisis.

A four-week ferry journey from Tilbury to Adelaide was delayed by two weeks because of the conflict, meaning Mr Dixon was unable to take part.

Mr Dixon, a former Erith Grammar School pupil, said: “I was an all-round athlete, the hammer was something I could do on speed and technique rather than raw muscle.

“But we owe everything to Dennis Cullum. He gave us everything. He got hammer throwing off the mark. He was recognised as a guru.

“I remember being very concerned watching the ship’s log as we lost time and made up for it then having problems with the engine.

“But because of the Suez Crisis we were delayed by two weeks so I’ve got old Anthony Eden and others to thank for starting that war.”

“I would have absolutely loved to have competed at the Olympics. The only upside was I had passes for the village where I watched the hockey final between India and Pakistan and the tail end of the athletics."

“I would have absolutely loved to have competed at the Olympics" - Warwick Dixon

Mr Dixon continued to compete well into his 70s before he took a break to care for his wife Lynn, who died in September 2012 following a four-year battle with cancer.

And he shows no sign of slowing down as he enters his eighth decade after breaking the British record in his age category.

His son Wayne is helping him to register the record with the authorities after the throw was confirmed by officials in Dartford.

He said: “After I got the record I thought it’s about time, I’ve waited 80 years for this.

"It came as a great relief - especially with the nationals coming up.

“You would think you might stand a better chance as you get older but the competition gets keener, it is amazing. At the national championships there will be hundreds competing."

And Mr Dixon admitted he will take to the field as favourite following his achievement with rival athletes hoping to throw further when the competition gets under way.

He added: “I’m probably the one that they are watching now.”

Going forward, Mr Dixon aims to throw further than 40 metres and is considering a bid to compete in the World Masters Athletics in Perth, Australia, next year.

The world record throw for an 80-year-old man was set by Italian athlete Carmelo Rado last year when he threw 44.69 metres.

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