The Canadian Masters national championships in Montreal featured three Americans stealing the show, breaking or tying eight short course meters world records among them. Richard Abrahams was responsible for five of them in the 70-74 age group.
Abrahams has already made an impact on the world records in this age group, setting four of them in March in Oregon a few days before he turned 70 thanks to a FINA rule. Now officially 70 years old, he lowered three of those records and added the 100 IM to his tally. His first event was the 50 butterfly, where he tied his world record of 30.43 from March.
Abrahams countered that the following day with two world records in back-to-back performances. He dipped under 27 seconds with a 26.92 in the 50 free, beating the 27.45 he swam in March. About a half hour later, he was back on the blocks for the 100 individual medley, where he beat Richard Burns’ world record of 1:14.40 by a slim margin with a 1:14.34.
The next day of the meet brought the 100 free and a 1:01.70 that was faster than the 1:02.22 he posted in March. On the final day of the meet, Abrahams got under 1:10 with a 1:09.45, faster than his 1:10.50 from March.
Jerry Frentsos set two Masters world records in Canada, both in the individual medleys. The 50-year-old swam a 2:12.85 in the 200 IM to beat Jamie Fowler’s 2009 record of 2:13.40, and a 4:45.15 in the 400 IM to take down Marcus Mattioli’s record of 4:48.02.
The Canadians weren’t shut out of the world record party. Sarah Macdonald broke the world record in the women’s 50 freestyle for the 55-59 age group twice in relay leadoff swims. First, in the mixed 200 free relay she swam a 28.16 while representing Victoria Masters Swim Club, then lowered it further a couple of days later with a 27.91 on the women’s 200 free relay. In the individual 50 free, Macdonald posted a 28.26.
A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Rick Walker broke the 400 freestyle record for the 65-69 age group.
Such great swimmers to watch in action. It was very inspiring to our young swimmers who were timing.
Thank you Sylvie ?
Sylvie, young swimmers often time at Masters meets in the United States as well, and we hope it gets them thinking of the sport they should choose in their adult years.
Any of these yours??? John John Lubisco??
Tariq Ahmad Khorma
Natasha Al-Mufleh
Melissa Dunham
Should Masters swimmers be tested when they break world records.Is the present just an open gates-free for All.How can we change it.