At her first international meet Margaret Sadow has walked away with a Bronze medal.
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The accomplished masters swimmer came third in the 100m backstroke at the 9th World Masters Games in Auckland last month. Held every four years, it is the world’s largest multi-sport event and the pinnacle for masters competitors worldwide.
Her other individual results included final top five finishes in the 800m freestyle and 200m backstroke, and top ten in the 100m and 200m freestyle.
After a number of successful performances on a national level, the modest Sadow says the only major difference was the language barrier.
However, club president and fellow competitor, Peter Bull says when it comes to competing at the level the atmosphere is very different.
“There is more hype; there is music playing, and the crowd gets more involved,” he says.
Bull says the Singleton Masters Swimming Club (SMSC) is very proud of Sadow’s achievement.
“It was an honour to be poolside to witness Margaret powering home to a podium finish,” he explains.
“Her passion for swimming is undeniable, and this performance clearly establishes her as an elite athlete in the sport. She has a fierce determination to succeed, and her medal is a fitting reward for her dedication to the sport.”
Bull also performed well, finishing his campaign with final top ten places in both the 100m and 50m backstroke.
He also achieved age group PB’s in the 800m freestyle and 50m butterfly.
The opportunity to race against two former Olympic swimmers, including the USA’s Michael Soderlund who was a member of the Swedish Men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay team that took a bronze medal behind the Australian ‘Mean Machine’ in Los Angeles in 1984, was a highlight for the former junior national age finalist.
Bull and Sadow also had the opportunity to compete in two relay events together.
Sadly, they could not form their own team due to a lack of current members.
This is something the pair would love to see change, ideally they would like the club to return to it’s glory days back in the 90’s.
Back then they had over twenty members and this meant they could secure a permanent lane booking for their training sessions.
Bull says the SMSC has produced several state, national, and international masters games medallists and champions, and boasts a local membership pedigree which includes former national open champion and master Coach Barry Moore, and current Singleton Amateur Swimming Club coach and former national masters swimming champion Melisa Geal.
“Although the club has members who enjoy competing locally and around the world, we are a small club that primarily focuses on fitness, friendship, and fun. Masters Swimming Australia has several programs that support all levels of swimming ability, and you don’t have to race to be involved in club activities,” he explains.
For further information regarding Masters Swimming in Singleton and the SMSC, contact Peter Bull on 0409 095 466.