Chalk up another world record for New Westminster’s Betty Brussel.
The 95-year-old swimmer established a handful of new marks at the B.C. Masters provincial championships in Victoria two weeks ago.
Among the records she broke was the world master women’s 200-metre breaststroke, which she did with a time of 8:27.91.
It was the final event of the three-day meet, with Brussel swimming three previous races on the day – all new record time.
“She was tired. We started off with the 800- and 50-freestyle races, and the 200m free, so she had those done before she got to the (breaststroke final),” remarked Carole Gair, who is a coach with the White Rock-based Waves masters swim team. “We only practice with her once a week but she’s in the pool three times a week.”
Among the seven gold medals she returned home with, the Royal City senior established new provincial and Canadian records in the 100m backstroke, breast and 800m free – missing the world record on the latter race by just 32 seconds.
Three of her times, in the 50-, 100- and 200m free events, were new records she had set just a month earlier.
Gair feels there is still room for better times for Brussel.
“There are so many things she can improve on,” said Gair. “She’s very determined.”
Brussel also holds four provincial records in the 90-94 age group. A month ago, she set the women’s 50m breast record, with six seconds to spare.
