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Betty Brussel, a 99-year-old woman from Canada, has achieved three world records and gained widespread attention in the amateur swimming community.
Ms. Brussel broke records in the 400-meter freestyle, 50-meter backstroke, and 50-meter breaststroke at the Victoria Masters Swim Club Meet held at the Commonwealth Pool in Saanich, British Columbia on Saturday.
In the age range of 100 to 104 years old, she achieved three record-breaking accomplishments.
Ms. Brussel was born on July 28, 1924 in Holland. Despite using a hearing aid and having a pacemaker due to a heart attack 25 years ago, she still lives independently and drives herself to go swimming twice a week.
“I thoroughly enjoy being in a pool and gracefully moving through the water,” stated Ms. Brussel in an interview with the Globe and Mail. “I always feel rejuvenated after swimming, it truly is my passion. It helps me let go of any concerns and I feel fantastic.”
She didn’t begin competitive swimming until she was in her mid-sixties.
Her achievements in breaking world records have served as motivation for the members of her community club, the White Rock Wave Swim Club, where she actively participates.
Ms. Brussel and her deceased spouse, Gerrit, relocated to Canada in 1959 and established their residence in British Columbia. She is the mother of three offspring, ages 69, 72, and 74.
“I was taken aback by my performance in yesterday’s swim,” Ms Brussel exclaimed. “I put in my maximum effort and never gave up. It was a fantastic experience, almost like being in a film. I was truly touched by the overwhelming support from everyone.”
She finished the 400-meter freestyle in 12 minutes and 50.3 seconds, beating the previous record for her age group of 16:36.80. She also achieved a new record in the 50-meter backstroke, clocking in at 1:24.91 and surpassing the old record by almost five seconds.
She set a new record in the 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:56.22, in a category without any previous standard.
She expressed that while she enjoys winning, it is not the most significant factor to her. She also mentioned that she is content for others who are victorious.
Stanley Wilson who coaches Ms Brussel noted that her seemingly boundless energy serves as a source of inspiration for fellow club members. He told the Guardian: “Betty has the most twinkly blue eyes and biggest smile. She is very funny and a chatterbox. When it comes to coaching I really just make sure that she’s not doing anything biomechanically counter-productive or that she might sustain an injury from. The reality is, here’s a lot of paperwork with world records, and I have to fill all that out.”
Ms. Brussel’s work has caught the eye of filmmakers, as Hannah Walsh and Emma Puchniak have been following her closely for a documentary set to come out at a later date.
“I embrace each day and find joy in it,” she shared with Globe and Mail. “I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to pursue my passions. I am not yet prepared for someone else to take care of me.”
According to reports, she carries a cell phone for emergencies. “All of my friends are no longer with me. Who will I contact?”
After her husband passed away several years ago, the swimming pool has continued to bring her happiness. “No matter what’s going on in my life, I always turn to swimming. It helps me forget my worries and feel better,” she explained.
“I tend to be shy, but being in the water gives me confidence. Adjusting to all the attention is still new to me. However, with the intense focus and breaking records, I’m beginning to feel a sense of pride in myself.”
Source: independent.co.uk
