Westville swimmer bags 2 gold medals at World Aquatics Master Championships

Westville resident Marc Allan brought home gold and silver from the World Aquatics Master Championships.

Allan, won four medals at the championships that was held at the beginning of August in Japan where more than 9000 swimmers from more than 100 countries competed.

Allan, an avid swimmer since the age of five years old, clinched two gold and two silver medals and broke the record for the 50m butterfly in the 45 to 49 years age group.

Having made the provincial swimming teams, Allan said he swam from five years old until he was 13 and then switched to water polo at high school. There, he made the KZN schools water polo team, then the KZN men’s and the SA under-20 water polo teams.

In 2017, when he was 40, he was invited to participate at the KZN Master’s swimming gala and that’s where his Master’s journey began.

Two years later, Allan also competed in the Fina World Masters Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, where he won three gold medals and one bronze medal.

Also performing excellently at this year’s Master’s Swimming Nationals, Allan won the Best Performance Male and the Victor Ludorum trophies.

With no experience swimming nationally, Allan said he was proud of his achievements as he had competed against athletes who were from competitive backgrounds.

Attributing his success to his family and coach, Allan said he was grateful for their support.

“I would not have been able to achieve these results without the support and help of many people, especially my wife, Eileen, my sons, Matthew and Mason, and my parents, Barbara and Kevin Allan.

“My brother, Brett, has been my training partner when I have not been training with a swim squad. A special thanks also to Graham du Toit for being my advisor, motivator and trainer, and Graham Hill who allowed me to join his elite swimming squad in the build-up to the World Aquatics Master Championship,” he said.

Looking to the future, Allan said he was planning to enter the next World Aquatics Master Championships that will be held in Doha at the end of February 2024.

“I’m planning to improve on my 100m butterfly time for that event. I’m hoping I can do it. So let’s hope all goes well,” said Allan.