The recently finished World Aquatics Masters Championships Kyushu 2023 in Japan, saw a strong Spencer squad compete superbly, winning a total of 23 medals: 11 gold, 11 silver and 1 bronze. The medals were won across a multitude of events, ranging from open water, relays and individuals.
Starting with the 3k Open Water events, on day 1, we saw Amanda Heath win silver (65-69), Tony Cherrington win silver (80-84), Peter Stephens came 5th (75-79 ), and finally Alan Parkins was 11th (60-64).
Day 2 of the pool swimming delivered 3 golds and a silver for Spencer. Kath Tunnicliffe won both 200 back and100 free (70-74) Amanda and Esther were 1-2 in the 100 breast (65-69) Tony Cherrington 4th in 100 free (80-84), Peter 22nd (75-79)
Day 3 of the pool swimming and a deja-vu with another 1-2 for Amanda and Esther, this time in the 400 IM. In the 200 free, Tony Cherrington won silver, Peter Stephens was 10th and Suzanne Maidment 13th. Then it was silver for Jack Marriott in the 50 fly and 20th for Alan Parkins
Day 4 of the pool swimming, 8th August. Esther and Amanda swam different events, still taking gold (Amanda 200 IM) and silver (Esther 100 fly). In the 50 free Kath won gold, Tony was 9th and Suzanne 24th
Day 5 was relay day. Men’s 280+ 4×50 free took silver. Guy Emerson, Peter Stevens, Tony Cherrington, Alan Parkins. Same team were 4th in the 4×50 medley. Mixed 280+ 4×50 free winners, Alan Parkins, Kath Tunnicliffe, Tony Cherrington, Esther Iseppi.
Day 6 had all events delayer by 4 hours due to a typhoon passing close by. When things resumed, we saw 3 more golds for the girls: Amanda in the 200 breast and 200 fly, and Kath in the 100 back. Esther took silver in the 200 breast and bronze in the 200 fly (to make sure she had the full set!).
Day 7, 11 August, was the final day. Tony won another silver in the 400 free and Kath won silver in the 50 back. Suzanne Maidment took 16th place in the 400 free and Guy Emerson 11th in the50 backstroke.
(All photos and text provided by Amanda Heath, edited by Willem Heskes)
