Ipswich man, 84, wins world swimming medal after 70 years

An 84-year-old man mentioned it felt “amazing” to attain his dream of changing into a world swimming champion after 70 years.

Michael Read MBE, who lives in Ipswich, began swimming on the age of 14 and went on to swim the English Channel 33 occasions.

At the tip of July and all through a part of August, he competed in a number of occasions within the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Singapore.

He gained gold within the 3km open water swim and took residence silver medals in different occasions within the pool.

“It feels absolutely amazing, it was a 70-year dream,” Mr Read mentioned.

“I’ve always said to myself, even if I have to keep going until I’m 100, I will be a World Masters Champion, so now I’ve ticked that off at 84.

“I’ll have to think about some extra issues now.”

Mr Read said during his open water race on 27 July, the water temperature had been “unbelievably scorching” and “near the utmost temperature permitted”.

He added that conditions varied, and he battled rough waters as well as currents.

While other competitors had dropped out of the race, Mr Read still had to complete the race in 90 minutes.

He came across the finish line in 87 minutes and 32 seconds.

Mr Read also brought home a silver medal in the 400m individual medley (IM) in the pool, as well as several others in the relay events.

Overall, he said it was a “nice expertise” and he was now looking ahead to the Swim England National Masters Championships in October in Sheffield.

Asked why he loved swimming, Mr Read said: “It’s the opposite manner round, it’s a love affair.

“I do just love it. Other people like coffee or cigarettes or doing other things, for me swimming is the ultimate.

“It retains you match, it allows you to go to beautiful locations as I’ve been to, I make pals, I see the world, I’ve simply obtained a lot to be grateful for.”