MASTERS GATHER TO RENEW RIVALRIES
Records are guaranteed to tumble when more than 1,000 swimmers
descend on the Ponds Forge Pool in Sheffield from Friday for
this year's ASA Masters (25m) Championships.
A total of 586 men and 461 women, representing 264 clubs,
will be in action in South Yorkshire as part of the popular
annual three-day event.
Competitors of all ages will be racing, with the youngest
category for competitors being the 19-24 age-group bracket,
while the oldest age-group bracket is 100 plus years.
This year will see 89-year-old Willie van Rysel as the competition's
oldest swimmer. Born on the 30th July, 1916, the athlete is
still going strong for the Spencer club.
Michael Harrington of Rochdale Aquabears, is the oldest swimmer
in the men's section, still making waves at the sprightly
age of 83.
Born on 17th September, 1922, Harrington is just a day older
than fellow age-group swimmer Martin McNulty of the Middlesborough
Swimming Club.
And there will be many more veteran swimmers on show as they
go head-to-head in a bid to break new British, European and
World records.
Mention records and you won't have to look far if Duncan McCreadi
is about.
The Maidenhead swimmer has set a string of new records this
year already, not to mention his records in years gone by.
So it's not surprising he wants to shine in Sheffield this
season, competing in the 60-64 age group bracket.
"I love swimming in Sheffield, but on saying that I love
all Masters events," said McCreadi.
"It's always nice to break records but the competitions
are a good chance to see old friends and renew rivalries."
A view shared by Harrington, the Lancashire swimmer who is
also looking to succeed during the course of the championship.
"Masters swimming really is a big happy family,"
said Harrington.
"It's so nice to stay in touch with swimmers you've competed
against for a number of years.
"It might be friendly but there's always very healthy
competition which it makes it that little bit more exciting."
Schedule (28-30 October)
Friday - Session 1, 1pm start; Session 2, 5pm start
Saturday - Session 3, 9am start; Session 4: 1.30pm start
Sunday - Session 5, 9am start; Final session: 1pm start
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