Octogenarian Swimmers Dominate with Gold at Abu Dhabi Masters Games
The Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026 (OMGAD) witnessed an extraordinary display of endurance and skill as veteran swimmers in their 80s took center stage at the Abu Dhabi Aquatics Club. These athletes, defying age stereotypes, shared inspiring stories of perseverance while racking up medals in a fiercely competitive environment.
Ahmed Hamada's Golden Triumph
Ahmed Hamada, an 87-year-old swimmer from Egypt, emerged as one of the standout performers, clinching five gold medals in the men’s 85+ category. His victories came in the 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle events, as well as the 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly. Hamada attributed his success to a lifelong commitment to swimming, inspired by his father, a doctor who advised him to swim for longevity. "I should stay active in swimming and join as many competitions as I can," he emphasized, expressing gratitude to Abu Dhabi for hosting the event sanctioned by the International Masters Games Association.
Michael Read's Olympic Legacy Continues
Another notable figure was Michael Read, an 85-year-old from the United Kingdom and a former Olympian renowned for crossing the English Channel 33 times. Read lived up to his reputation by securing four gold medals in the 400m and 800m freestyle, along with the 200m and 400m individual medley events. He also added silver medals in the 100m and 200m freestyle. "I came here just to enjoy the competition, and I’m happy that I have achieved more than that," Read remarked in an interview, highlighting the joy of participation at this stage of his career.
Other Veteran Champions
The men’s 80+ category featured impressive performances from Franz Johannes Fischer of Germany, who won four golds and two silvers; Anthony Cherrington and Yury Marenkov, each with multiple gold medals. In the women’s 80+ class, Marianne Raynaud of France secured four golds and one silver, while Peterne Shanyi of Hungary earned three golds. Anne Cooke from New South Wales and Herilene Henriques De Freitas of Brazil also claimed gold medals, with De Freitas noting that starting swimming late in life at age 53 was a decision that paid off for her health and longevity.
Filipino Swimmers Make Their Mark
Amidst the dominance of European veterans, Filipino swimmers Allen Edward Larua, Kim Russelle Palmaria, and Rhea Roa rose to the challenge despite limited training. Larua won one silver and three bronze medals, while Palmaria and Roa each secured silver and bronze. Palmaria, who finished third in the 200m freestyle with a time of 3:19.88, expressed satisfaction: "I’m still happy that despite a lack of training, I was able to win medals." Both Larua and Palmaria work as lifeguards in Abu Dhabi and have been active in UAE swimming tournaments.
The event, held from February 14 to 15, 2026, not only celebrated athletic achievement but also underscored the importance of staying active and healthy through sports, regardless of age. The inspiring performances of these octogenarian swimmers serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of competition and the benefits of a lifelong dedication to fitness.
