International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2016 Announced

FORT LAUDERDALE – The International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is proud to announce the 2016 class of inductees. The group of eight outstanding individuals and organizations will be inducted at the annual ceremony to be held on Friday evening, September 23rd, 2016, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Atlanta, GA, in conjunction with the 2016 United States Aquatic Sports XXXVII Convention. The prestigious IMSHOF class of 2016 includes four swimmers, one diver, one synchronized swimmer, one water polo club and one contributor, from three different countries: the USA, Australia and France. For more details and event information, contact Meg Keller-Marvin at meg@ishof.org.

SWIMMERS

MARGARET CUNNINGHAM (AUS)

Since 1986, Margaret has been in the Top Ten for a total of 23 times.  She has set 14 long course and 20 short course FINA Masters World Records, mostly in the freestyle and individual medley. She has competed in 4 FINA World Championships since 1990 winning 10 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals.

JOANN LEILICH (USA)

Joanne has competed in Masters Swimming since 1981 and has been in the Top Ten for 35 years. She has set 26 FINA Masters World Records, 12 long course and 14 short course meters all in the breaststroke. 

NICOLAS GRANGER (FRA)

Nicolas first appeared on the Masters Top 10 in 1993 and has been listed there for a total of 16 years since then. As a versatile swimmer, he has set 25 FINA Masters World Records, 13 long course meters and 12 short course meters in the freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and I.M.

THOMAS MAINE (USA)

Thomas began competing in 1997, in the 70 - 74 age group and has been ranked in the Top Ten for 19 continuous years. He has set 27 FINA Masters World Records, 14 long course meters and 13 short course meters in the butterfly, breaststroke and I.M. Thomas had a big run in 2015 breaking 9 world records in his new age group (90-95).

SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER:

LEADEL BEAN (USA)

Leadel Bean began synchro masters in 1995 in the 30 - 34 age category. She has competed in 9 FINA World Masters Championships, winning 12 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze medals in her age groups. 

DIVER

RICHARD BLOUGH (USA)

Richard Blough has competed in 4 FINA World Masters Championships, 4 World Masters Games and 2 Pan Pacific Masters World Aquatic Games, winning 19 gold medals, 6 silver and 7 bronze in the 1 and 3 meter springboards and 10 meter platform competitions.  In 2008 Richard suffered an injury that ended his diving career.

WATER POLO

THE OLYMPIC CLUB (USA)

The Olympic Club is the oldest Athletic Club in the United States of America, founded in 1860. It has fielded Masters Water Polo teams since 1988, when the first US Water Polo sanctioned Masters Tournament was held. The Club made its International water polo debut at the FINA World Masters Championships in 1996 at Sheffield, England, where it won the 30+ Gold Medal and has participated in every FINA Masters World Championships since, winning numerous gold medals.

CONTRIBUTOR

TOM BOAK (USA)

Tom Boak was truly a pioneer in international Masters Swimming. As president of US Masters Swimming from 1985 to 1989, he led the United States involvement in Masters Swimming, International (MSI). MSI was the first international Masters organization and was so successful that FINA decided Masters should come under their umbrella. Therefore, while Tom was President, USMS became part of FINA. After his term, he has continued as treasurer and chair of various committees of USMS and is one of the great ambassadors and promoters of adult swimming.

About IMSHOF

The purpose of the IMSHOF is to promote a healthy lifestyle, lifelong fitness and participation in adult aquatic programs by recognizing the achievements of individuals who serve as an example for others. To be considered, honorees must have participated in Masters programs through at least four different masters age groups and are qualified by an objective point system based on world records, world top 10 rankings and World Championship performances.  The IMSHOF is a division of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit:  www.ishof.org

About ISHOF

The International Swimming Hall of Fame, Inc. (ISHOF), established in 1965, is a not-for-profit educational organization located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Recognized by FINA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized governing body for the aquatic sports in 1968, its mission is to preserve the history of swimming, celebrate the heroes, promote the benefits and importance of swimming as a key to fitness, good health, quality of life, and the water safety of all children and adults, and connect older generations of swimmers to youth.  For more information please visit http://www.ishof.org