Fritz Bedford Takes Down Two Backstroke Masters World Records

Photo Courtesy: Barbara Hummel

Fritz Bedford raised the men’s backstroke bar in the 50-54 age group to new heights last weekend at the seventh annual UVAC Leaf Peepers Masters Mini Meet.

Bedford, 52, swam a 58.47 in the short course meters 100 backstroke, an eye-popping 1.32 seconds under the previous world mark of 59.79 formerly held by Japan’s Hiroyoshi Maetoge. Later in the meet, Bedford raced to a 26.69 in the 50 backstroke, taking more than half a second off his own world record of 27.28. Notably, Bedford’s time is faster than the existing world record in the men’s 45-49 age group of 27.02 set by Chris Stevenson.

In between his record-setting swims, Bedford clocked 1:01.58 in the 100 IM, a time that ranks as fifth fastest ever in the 50-54 age group and less than a second away from the world record of 1:00.96 by David Sims. All three of Bedford’s swims were his fastest ever in Masters, dating back to his 2009 debut.

Backstroke is a popular stroke in Bedford’s family. He is the older brother of B.J. Bedford, a 2000 Olympian who won gold in the 400 medley relay and participated in the finals of the 100 backstroke.

Barbara Hummel contributed to this report.

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oleg

8 years ago

This is just unbelievable. Congratulations to Fritz.

Greg

8 years ago

Amazing Fritz! Well done..As a fellow Masters Backstroker I would really like to know the frequency and volume that you do..maybe S.W Mag can do an interview for us? cheers