Okanagan masters swimmers excel at World Championships
Kelowna’s grand dame of swimming, Conny Stamhuis, returned from the FINA World Masters Championships in Budapest with two gold and two silver medals in the 85-89 age group.
Stamhuis of Okanagan Masters Swim Club touched the wall 23 seconds ahead of the field in the 100-metre backstroke to win the event. She also took gold in the 50-metre backstroke and silver in the 50-metre breaststroke and 50-metre freestyle.
“I was hoping to win at least one event, so returning with two golds is a bonus!” Stamhuis said of her performance.
Not to be outdone, OMSC’s Betty Brussel continued her inspirational career in the 90-94 age group with three silver medals from the 400-metre freestyle, 100- and 200metre breaststroke, plus a bronze from the 200-metre backstroke.
Okanagan Falls resident and KISU Masters’ Glenn Carlsen took silver in the 400-metre men’s freestyle in the 60-64 age group, while Vernon Masters’ Michael Stamhuis placed sixth.
With an outstanding performance, Carlsen broke his own Canadian national and B.C. record by almost seven seconds.
Carlsen also won silver in the 800-metre freestyle and placed fourth in the 400-metre individual medley, fifth in the 200-metre freestyle and eighth in the 200-metre breaststroke.
Michael Stamhuis also placed fifth in the 200-metre backstroke, eighth in the 100-metre freestyle, 10th in the 200-metre freestyle and 11th in the 100-metre backstroke — beating his own B.C. record by over three seconds.
“I am very happy with my swims, except for the 200-metre backstroke,” he said. “Both my mom (Conny) and I were impressed by the quality of the 4x50-metre competition pools and four warm-up pools in Budapest.
“Budapest certainly hosted a world-class event, and it is a magnificent city,” added Michael Stamhuis.
OMSC spokesperson Jeanette Hoft said: “Placing amongst the first 10 swimmers in an international event of this calibre represents world-class achievements. Masters swimmers from the Okanagan have shown exceptionally impressive performances against top-class competitors from around the world.”
The purpose of Masters swimming is to promote fun, fitness, health, fellowship and participation among swimmers over age 18.