Yeovilton swimmer gains international success
SAILOR achieves a bronze swimming at the FINA World Championships in Canada the largest aquatic event outside of the Olympic Games.
Lieutenant Rhodri Humphreys (32) got a bronze medal in the 200m freestyle championships held in Montreal Canada last month. A competition for those aged 25+ and compete in 5 year age groups, i.e. 25 – 29, 30 – 34 The championship is a pinnacle event for Master Swimmers.
Rhodri representing the Royal Navy in a team of 7 completed his 200m freestyle in 2.01.35, a new Welsh Masters record for the 30-34 age groups. During the course of the competition 12 Royal Navy records were broken.
Rhodri said:
‘Competing against ex professional and Olympic swimmers, I was surprised to have done so well at my first International Masters competition. The standard was very high and makes all the early mornings and training with Yeovil District Swimming worthwhile ’. Rhodri added “9000 competitors representing 97 countries compete in sports including swimming, open water swimming, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming the oldest competitor was 97, who travelled from New Zealand.
Swimming up to 40,000 meters a week which equates to 800 lengths or almost 25 miles. Rhodri’s had his passion for swimming since the age of 6 and has been swimming competitively for over 20 years representing Welsh School boys he has been Welsh age group champion, attended the 2000 Olympic Games Trials and represents the Royal Navy at inter service level and at National swimming events.
His dedication and enthusiasm for his sport continues with is future plan. Rhodri said “my next major championships will be at the World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand in 2017 where I aim to better the results that I achieved in Montreal. Before that though, I will be attempting to swim the English Channel in 2016 for the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity”