Records look set to tumble this weekend when the best Masters swimmers from across the country descend on Sheffield for this year’s ASA National Masters 25m Championships.
Featuring over 1,000 competitors, aged between 18-90, the Masters Championships will see athletes not only meet old friends and re-new rivalries but also try to set new World, European and British records.
The Championships have witnessed no less than 11 new World Masters Records in the past two years and this year’s athletes look like adding to that impressive figure.
At the age of 90, Willy Van Rysel from Bournemouth is still a force to be reckoned with in the pool.
Competing for the Spencer Swim Team, Van Rysel will swim in the oldest age group and while other veteran swimmers, competing in younger age ranges, include Frances Penwarden (Croydon), Hadrian Masters swimmer Judy Hattle and Heart of England swimmer Judy Wilson.
World Record holder Judy Hattle goes into the 2006 Championships looking to retain her 100m Butterfly title and hopes to raise the bar once again.
In the men’s events, Harold Dodd, the 87-year-old Trafford Metro swimmer, is looking to carry on from last year by breaking the 1500m Freestyle British record.
Alexander Mills is also one to watch, he took a total of five records in last year’s championship and will be looking to beat off the competition while setting even higher standards this year.
The event begins on Friday 27th October at 1.00pm followed by an evening session at 6.00pm.
Session times on Saturday (28th) are 9.00am and 1.00pm, for Sunday (29th) they are 9.00am and 1.30pm.
-ENDS-
For more information contact ASA Media Assistant Gemma Field on 01509 632262, 07917 726431 or email gemma.field@swimming.org
The Amateur Swimming Association is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water, and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn To Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,600 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
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