Share your love of swimming - Get info on training to become a swim teacher from just £79

Graham Short breaks European record in Sheffield

Graham Short broke the British and European records in the 1500m Freestyle in the first session of the ASA National Masters Championships 2016 at Ponds Forge, Sheffield

The Warley Wasps swimmer dipped nearly four seconds under the previous record time of 22:08.91. He swam 22:04.97 to claim gold in the 70-74 years age group.

Click here to view full results from session one on the SportsSystems website.

“I am relieved more than anything,” said Short. “I have trained harder than anyone here, for the last three months.

“My training has been three sessions a day, doing 10,000 metres every day!

“It needs that kind of effort to psychologically cope with 60 lengths! I am really happy, I can’t believe it. I always love it here, I come every year.”

Cooper and Elly take British records

Silver City’s Audrey Cooper and Hyde Seal’s Karen Elly also broke British 1500m Freestyle records in the opening session in Sheffield.

Cooper’s record came in the 60-64 years age group, in which she shaved nine seconds from the previous British marker. She touched in 20:44.63 to take gold in her age group.

Elly’s record was taken in the 55-59 years age group. She shattered the previous record by over 20 seconds, touching in 19:59.39.

Other 1500m Freestyle gold medallists include:

  • Christopher Greenhalgh of Sudbury (18-24yrs)
  • Daniel John of Totness (25-29yrs)
  • Andrew Swanston of Barnet Copthall (30-34yrs)
  • Pip Bennett of Otter (35-39yrs)
  • Oliver Wilkinson of Gloucester Masters (40-44yrs)
  • Peter Dixon of Tower Hamlet (45-49yrs)
  • Simon Emm of Colchester (50-54yrs)
  • Mark Jones of Everton (55-59yrs)
  • David Davenport of Newbury (60-64yrs)
  • David Hembrow of Littledown Masters (65-69yrs)
  • Michael Read of Brighton (75-79yrs)
  • Keely Empson of Cardiff (18-24yrs)
  • Katie Walker-Stabeler of Birmingham Masters (25-29yrs)
  • Hayley Davis of Otter (30-34yrs)
  • Emma Wills of York City (35-39yrs)
  • Jessica Wooddisse of Sub 160 (40-44yrs)
  • Lindsay Turnbull of Newcastle (45-49yrs)
  • June Falconer of Silver City (50-54yrs)
  • Sandra Vincent of Black Lion (65-69yrs)
  • Elaine Bromwich of Birmingham Masters (70-74yrs)
  • Jill Complin of Romford Town (75-79yrs)
Top