World Masters October, 2009 Sydney I competed in the 50-54 age group events in both swimming & athletics where I obtained top ten finishes in every event, my best result being 4th in the Javelin throw.
October2009World Masters Sydney competed in swimming & athletics.
November2009 I had serious accident at work injuring both arms requiring multiple surgeries..doctors said I wouldn’t be able to swim again. Gained 20kg in weight due to not being able to exercise.
January2012 After working hard at my rehabilitation given the all clear to commence swimming again.
June2012 I had lost the 20kg thru diet & hard work & started competing again.
July2012 I had routine Breastscreen mammogram which showed a malignant tumor. Immediate lumpectomy showed cancer was very deadly, triple negative, grade 3, only 20% cure rate. 5 months of very strong (FEC) chemotherapy followed.February 2013 I started radiation.
All the while having my treatment I maintained a high level of fitness running, swimming & gym despite being very sick hoping to still be able to compete at World Masters in Italy,August, 2013.
It ends like this:
March2013 Finished radiation treatment & had some serious burns to my chest area which required multiple dressings daily.
March2013 Back in full training to compete at World Masters in Athletics – Shot Put, Javelin, Discus & 2km steeplechase & Swimming – 200 freestyle, 200 backstroke, 100 backstroke &50 backstroke despite having some breathing difficulties.
May2013Admitted to hospital with heart complications (left chamber of heart only pumping at only 40%).
August2013 Competed at Torino, Italy winning a silver medal in the 2km steeplechase, 4th in the javelin & top ten in my other 5 events.
October2013 Competed at Australian Masters Games, Geelong, VIC winning Gold in the 2km Steeplechase & discus throw, silver in the 100 backstroke & bronze in the javelin throw & 200 backstroke.
My next goal apart from keeping well & fit is to compete at the Pan Pacific Masters on the Gold Coast in November2014.
Harrington Park, NSW, Australia