Gran grabs gold in swimming champs

SEVENTY-nine-year-old Westville resident, Wendy Saunders, is in the spotlight once again, this time for her outstanding performance in a swimming championship.

After competing against swimmers in the 80 to 84-year category, Saunders bagged five gold medals and three silvers. The four-day event, which was held in Ellis Park, Gauteng recently, attracted about 800 swimmers who all competed in different categories in the South African Masters Championships.

The mother of one obtained gold medals for 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke and 50m and 100m freestyle. She was awarded silver medals for the 50m backstroke race and two for the relays.

Saunders, who is the oldest member of the East Coast Masters swimming club, said, “While growing up we had a pool but I preferred spending time on the tennis, badminton and squash courts. I married a champion swimmer but even that didn’t get me interested. While supporting my husband Jim at the Durban SA Championship, the other swimmers asked me why I wasn’t swimming. I replied by saying I don’t fancy cold water, goggles or a cap and I had neuropathy.”

They eventually persuaded Saunders and she practised at home for a year before competing in her first Masters Championship in Pretoria at the age of 75. She then participated in swimming competitions in Oudtshoorn, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.

She also won the national victrix ludorum, is an SA record-holder and received her Natal colours. Saunders and her husband train every day, and she said, “There is hope for everyone. Now I look back and wonder about why more people don’t swim. It is such a fun activity and everyone is very supportive. The 2016 South African Masters Championship will be held in Durban and I hope more people will join and participate in this exciting sport.”