YEOVILTON LIFE: Yeovil Swimming Club’s Rhodri does area proud

A SAILOR from RNAS Yeovilton has achieved a bronze swimming medal 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 last month.

The FINA championships are for those aged 25+ and swimmers can compete in five-year age groups such as 25-29, 30-34 and so on. It 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 group. During the course of the competition 12 Royal Navy records were broken.

PHOTO - ABOVE AND RIGHT: Lt Rhodri Humphreys with the bronze swimming medal he won at the FINA World Championships.

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: “9,000 competitors representing 97 countries compete in sports including swimming, open water swimming, water polo, diving and synchronized swimming.

“The oldest competitor was 97 who had travelled from New Zealand.”

Rhodri swims up to 40,000 metres a week – which equates to almost 25 miles – and his passion for the sport started when he was just six-years-old.

He has been swimming competitively for over 20 years representing Welsh Schoolboys, 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.”

But before that he will be attempting to swim the English Channel in 2016 for the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity!

Anyone wanting to sponsor Rhodri can do so by clicking on this link: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/dovertocalaisthehardway .

Tags:
News.