New Zealand Masters Games 2019
By Val
@valmnz (17097)
New Zealand
February 4, 2019 12:51am CST
You may have heard of the Masters sports movement, where adults participate competitively in a wide range of sports. It's not uncommon to see adults in their 80s and 90s taking part, either as individuals or in a team sport.
The New Zealand Masters Games are currently being held in Whanganui, about an hour away from my home. This year is the 30th anniversary of the event. This year there are 67 sports and about 8,000 competitors. If you want to know more do a Google search for New Zealand Masters Games 2019.
I'm competing in the swimming over the next two days, six events: 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke, 50m and 400m freestyle and 25m butterfly. My husband and I used to compete regularly, but we've had a break for quite a few years. In 2018 I decided it was time to start participating again.
The swimming is divided into five year age groups. I'm in the 65-69 group, although I'm only weeks away from my birthday, taking me into the next age group! There are not too many women in my age group, so I'm expecting to do reasonably well.
The photo above is the local pool I've been training in since summer started. In the winter I train indoors.
I'll let you know later in the week how I get on.
12 people like this
12 responses
@valmnz (17097)
• New Zealand
7 Feb 19
@JudyEv eventually I guess the swimming results will go on to either the NZ Masters Games 2019 site and/or the New Zealand Masters Swimming site. With so many sports participating the results are confined to their sporting bodies rather than as news items. I haven't looked but there was definitely media coverage at the swimming so no doubt that went into the local paper. I've posted a post with my results :-)
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@BelleStarr (61338)
• United States
5 Feb 19
You are amazing, a wonder woman. I hope you do really well.
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@allknowing (141857)
• India
4 Feb 19
This sure is a new lease of life for oldies Go for it and good luck
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@changjiangzhibin89 (16870)
• China
4 Feb 19
You are good at swimming ,thus you are tipped to win the prize.Good luck!
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@responsiveme (22926)
• India
4 Feb 19
Wish you all the best. This sounds like a very interesting and inclusive event .
Have a lot of fun, to participate in them is certainly very cool
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