Rich Abrahams, Now 70 Years Old (Sort Of), Breaks Masters World Records

Rich Abrahams
Photo Courtesy: Rich Abrahams

Rich Abrahams has a very storied history of success in Masters swimming. Dating back to 1985, he has broken U.S. Masters Swimming national records and FINA world records in multiple events. That history continued last weekend at the Oregon City Spring Forward Meet, where Abrahams took advantage of a FINA rule to start setting world records in the 70-74 age group.

Abrahams does not officially turn 70 until next Friday, but he was able to swim as a 70-year-old in the short course meters meet in Oregon last week thanks to a FINA rule that dictates that in short course meters and long course meters meets, your age as of December 31 of that year is your “meet age.” So, Abrahams got a head start on the 70-74 records, and got an early birthday present in the form of four world records.

Abrahams, representing Colorado Masters, started with a 1:02.22 in the 100 freestyle, beating David Quiggin’s mark of 1:02.87 from last year. A 1:10.52 in the 100 butterfly was next, eradicating Josep Claret’s mark of 1:12.02. Perhaps as a way of assuring he’d get the record, Abrahams took the 100 fly out fast, splitting 32.07 at the 50. That’s just a hair slower than the 31.98 he swam in the individual 50 butterfly race. Swimming World has learned that Abrahams had an equipment malfunction in his 100 fly race as his goggles filled up with water. But Abrahams, much like Phelps in the 200 fly at the Beijing Olympics, earned a world record despite the adversity.

Abrahams’ third record came in his specialty, the 50 freestyle. With a 27.45, he took down Jeff Farrell’s world record of 27.70 that had lasted since 2008. Abrahams now has the 50 free short course meters world record in three consecutive age groups: 60-64 (24.90), 65-69 (25.62) and 70-74.

As mentioned earlier, Abrahams swam a 31.98 in the 50 fly, which just missed out on Bert Petersen’s officiall world record of 31.55 from 2008, and the yet-to-be ratified world record of 30.96 by Jim Dragon from last November. He made a second attempt at the 50 fly record during the 200 IM, and though the official results do not show it, Swimming World was told that Abraham split 30.43 on butterfly, and it will be submitted as a world record.

Willard Lamb of Oregon Masters also gave a world record a scare last weekend in the 90-94 age group. The 93-year-old posted a 1:39.58 in the 100 freestyle, just shy of Woody Bowersock’s 1:39.26 from 2003. He also swam a 7:54.44 in the 400 free, a few seconds off his own world record of 7:46.30 from the same meet last year.

Results: 2015 Oregon City Spring Forward Masters Meet

Attachment-1 Note: A previous version of this article stated that Abrahams had broken three world records.

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Swimming World
9 years ago

Update: We have learned that Abrahams broke FOUR world records, instead of three as initially reported. He did get that 50 fly world record as a split in the 200 IM!

Michael Carlson
9 years ago

Never too old!!!

Tim Waud
Tim Waud
9 years ago

Rich did swim a 30.43 50 Fly split in the 200IM for a World Record. I sent the WR application in today. Congrats Rich! The kids and adults loved seeing 4 World Records set in our home pool.

Ellie Wells
9 years ago

He’s 70!!! Wtf. Doesn’t look it all. Another reason to continue swimming then!

Abbas Hussain Dhanji
9 years ago

These guys r real hero’s I m swimming in 35 40 n trying to go under 26 in free n under 28 in fly n under 33 in breast … amazing guys hats off

Jill Taylor
9 years ago

Holy crud look at his abs. I gotta exercise more!

Sharon Ottman
9 years ago

Swimming is the fountain of youth!

Francesco Capuozzo
9 years ago

Fenomeno!!!

Ludmila Soroosh
9 years ago

That’s 70? That’s it! Back to the pool…

Gonzalo Parraguez Santos

A real Master !!!!!!

Monica April
9 years ago

Michael Carlson–he sure doesnt look 70 and what an article — retirement does them well ;0)

Richard Burns
9 years ago

Rich…you make 70 look good. Congratulations.

Michael Mann
9 years ago

Super fast considering he was mending a very sore shoulder! Congrats from SwimLabs

Ron Contreraz
9 years ago

Awesome! Congrats to Mr. Abrahams!

Jodi Frank
9 years ago

Awesome

Veronica Santistevan Zamora

Awesome! And He looks so amazing!

José Sanchez F
9 years ago

Congratulations Mr Abrahams.

Jennifer Perewiznyk Bew

WOW! Hot!

Aldo H.Ruiz Zamora
9 years ago

Lalo Torres a ver si se le pega algo

Scot Weiss
9 years ago

Way to go Rich Abrahams! Awesome!

Alison DeLuca
9 years ago

James Scott Thornton!!!!!!

Christian Guichard
9 years ago

Mathieu Moreau Raphael Fraschini

Arturo Arana
9 years ago

Juan Karlos aun tenemos esperanza jajaja

Lalo Torres de los Granos

Aldo H.Ruiz Zamora

Tracy Smith
9 years ago

Daniel Smith

Sean Pearson
9 years ago

Stephen A. Gomez Perez… Look at the last paragraph!

Elana Pedersen
9 years ago

Amazing times!

AnGy Dattebayo
9 years ago

Laura Domino

Anthea Stock Edwards
9 years ago

Wow, those times are incredible! Shows it’s never too late!

montell
montell
9 years ago

Result sheet says that Abrahams mark in the 100m butterfly was 1:10.50.

Doc Lords
9 years ago

Lucky that Mr.Rich Abrahams was still given the chance to compete despite his old age…we have one like him here in the Philippines but not given tne chance ..He brought pride to our country during Asean and Sea Games duri g the early 70s…His name is Jairulla Jaitulla.. 🙂

Ivana Jesic
9 years ago

Congratulations!!!
Swimming is the best sport!!!

Andy White
9 years ago

It sure keeps him looking youthful. Way better than Bruce Jenner. Ah, but he wasn’t a swimmer.

Sally Bauer
9 years ago

He’s 70?? Wow!

nagaraj poola
9 years ago

i like very much

Pete Andress
Pete Andress
9 years ago

Way to go Rich. Still kicking butt.

Matt Allie
9 years ago

the dude looks decently fit :)))

Bader Alkhalifa
9 years ago

respect

Erlan Hurtado
9 years ago

Martin Berbetti Guzmán

dmdswim@aol.com
dmdswim@aol.com
9 years ago

Great swim rich…. Don Davis

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