Littledown Masters’ David Hembrow has become a European Masters record holder after knocking more than half a minute off the previous European 70-74 years record set in 2009 by another British swimmer, Geoff Stokes. The 70 year old veteran of the Mexico Olympic Games in 1968 recorded a short-course 1500m Freestyle time of 21min 40.00 sec at the Swim England National Masters’ Championship held in Sheffield in October.
With a new European Masters record under his belt, David went on to further successes with gold medals in both the 200m and 400m Freestyle events in the 70-74 years age group in 2:35.46 and 5:33.50 respectively, and silver in the 50m and 100m Freestyle with times of 33.15 and 1:12.00.
Littledown Masters’ Nigel Foster and Cathy Hartle, and Poole’s Kath Baker, also made the podium at Ponds Forge. Nigel’s medal haul of five was achieved with gold in the 65-69 years 50m and 200m Backstroke, silver in the 100m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle, and a bronze in the 50m Freestyle. Cathy won silver in the 1500m Freestyle and a bronze in the 800m Freestyle in the 55-59 years age group.
Kath Baker made her mark in the 25-29 years age group 200m Breaststroke and 200m Individual Medley taking gold in both events, together with a silver in the 100m Breaststroke and bronze in the 100m Butterfly.
Photo:Â Dave Hembrow (right) with Littledown Masters teammates Nigel Foster (left) and Cathy Hartle.