Rich Abrahams has a very storied history of success in Masters swimming. Dating back to 1985, he has broken U.S. Masters Swimming national records and FINA world records in multiple events. That history continued last weekend at the Oregon City Spring Forward Meet, where Abrahams took advantage of a FINA rule to start setting world records in the 70-74 age group.
Abrahams does not officially turn 70 until next Friday, but he was able to swim as a 70-year-old in the short course meters meet in Oregon last week thanks to a FINA rule that dictates that in short course meters and long course meters meets, your age as of December 31 of that year is your “meet age.” So, Abrahams got a head start on the 70-74 records, and got an early birthday present in the form of four world records.
Abrahams, representing Colorado Masters, started with a 1:02.22 in the 100 freestyle, beating David Quiggin’s mark of 1:02.87 from last year. A 1:10.52 in the 100 butterfly was next, eradicating Josep Claret’s mark of 1:12.02. Perhaps as a way of assuring he’d get the record, Abrahams took the 100 fly out fast, splitting 32.07 at the 50. That’s just a hair slower than the 31.98 he swam in the individual 50 butterfly race. Swimming World has learned that Abrahams had an equipment malfunction in his 100 fly race as his goggles filled up with water. But Abrahams, much like Phelps in the 200 fly at the Beijing Olympics, earned a world record despite the adversity.
Abrahams’ third record came in his specialty, the 50 freestyle. With a 27.45, he took down Jeff Farrell’s world record of 27.70 that had lasted since 2008. Abrahams now has the 50 free short course meters world record in three consecutive age groups: 60-64 (24.90), 65-69 (25.62) and 70-74.
As mentioned earlier, Abrahams swam a 31.98 in the 50 fly, which just missed out on Bert Petersen’s officiall world record of 31.55 from 2008, and the yet-to-be ratified world record of 30.96 by Jim Dragon from last November. He made a second attempt at the 50 fly record during the 200 IM, and though the official results do not show it, Swimming World was told that Abraham split 30.43 on butterfly, and it will be submitted as a world record.
Willard Lamb of Oregon Masters also gave a world record a scare last weekend in the 90-94 age group. The 93-year-old posted a 1:39.58 in the 100 freestyle, just shy of Woody Bowersock’s 1:39.26 from 2003. He also swam a 7:54.44 in the 400 free, a few seconds off his own world record of 7:46.30 from the same meet last year.
Results: 2015 Oregon City Spring Forward Masters Meet
Note: A previous version of this article stated that Abrahams had broken three world records.
Update: We have learned that Abrahams broke FOUR world records, instead of three as initially reported. He did get that 50 fly world record as a split in the 200 IM!
Never too old!!!
Rich did swim a 30.43 50 Fly split in the 200IM for a World Record. I sent the WR application in today. Congrats Rich! The kids and adults loved seeing 4 World Records set in our home pool.
He’s 70!!! Wtf. Doesn’t look it all. Another reason to continue swimming then!
These guys r real hero’s I m swimming in 35 40 n trying to go under 26 in free n under 28 in fly n under 33 in breast … amazing guys hats off
Holy crud look at his abs. I gotta exercise more!
Swimming is the fountain of youth!
Fenomeno!!!
That’s 70? That’s it! Back to the pool…
A real Master !!!!!!
Michael Carlson–he sure doesnt look 70 and what an article — retirement does them well ;0)
Rich…you make 70 look good. Congratulations.
Super fast considering he was mending a very sore shoulder! Congrats from SwimLabs
Awesome! Congrats to Mr. Abrahams!
Awesome
Awesome! And He looks so amazing!
Congratulations Mr Abrahams.
WOW! Hot!
Lalo Torres a ver si se le pega algo
Way to go Rich Abrahams! Awesome!
James Scott Thornton!!!!!!
Mathieu Moreau Raphael Fraschini
Juan Karlos aun tenemos esperanza jajaja
Aldo H.Ruiz Zamora
Daniel Smith
Stephen A. Gomez Perez… Look at the last paragraph!
Amazing times!
Laura Domino
Wow, those times are incredible! Shows it’s never too late!
Result sheet says that Abrahams mark in the 100m butterfly was 1:10.50.
Lucky that Mr.Rich Abrahams was still given the chance to compete despite his old age…we have one like him here in the Philippines but not given tne chance ..He brought pride to our country during Asean and Sea Games duri g the early 70s…His name is Jairulla Jaitulla.. 🙂
Congratulations!!!
Swimming is the best sport!!!
It sure keeps him looking youthful. Way better than Bruce Jenner. Ah, but he wasn’t a swimmer.
He’s 70?? Wow!
i like very much
Way to go Rich. Still kicking butt.
the dude looks decently fit :)))
respect
Martin Berbetti Guzmán
Great swim rich…. Don Davis