Man, 95, sets swim record

A 95-year-old Arkansas man has set a new national record for his age group in the 100-meter breaststroke.

The Southwest Times Record reports that Bud Jackson, of Fort Smith, broke a 16-year-old U.S. Masters Swimming record in the 100-meter breaststroke recently in Bentonville.

Competing in the 95-99 age division, Jackson completed the race in 3:16.56. That shattered the previous record of 3:38.45.

“I thought ‘What have I done?’”, said Jackson. “I was very happy about it.”

Jackson didn’t start swimming until his 60′s when he asked Ian Bullock to teach him to swim. It was Bullock who had to convince him to attempt the record.

“He was a little reluctant. He said he was having trouble with his breathing, his sinuses,” said Ian Bullock. “I said ‘Okay, you got four more years to do it’ and he said ‘Well I may not be upright in four more years.’”

Even after history was made, Jackson remained humble.

“Well it’s only in this one event, remember, it feels okay,” said Jackson. “There are a lot of other swimmers out there in my age group that are faster than I am in other events.”

When told he was still one of the best, Jackson simply smiled and said…

“Well thank you, thank you.”

Agencies/Canadajournal