Maurine Kornfeld to be inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame

The International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF) is proud to announce that Maurine Kornfeld, 97, of Southern California, USA,  will be inducted into the International Masters Swimming Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2018 during the IMSHOF Induction ceremonies in Jacksonville, Florida, Friday evening, September 28, 2018, to be held in conjunction with the United States Aquatic Sports convention.

Kornfeld made her Masters debut in her 80’s and set her first Masters world record when she was 90 (SC 800 free, 18:38.69). Swimming at Masters meets was just another opportunity to be in the water. Win or lose, she was happy to swim and never seemed to know her swim times. Despite this handicap, she set 27 world records.

Currently at 97 years old, Maurine has been competing for 31 years and has been in the Top Ten 27 times. She has set seven long course and 20 short course FINA Masters World Records in the I.M., freestyle and backstroke. In world rankings since 1997, she has a total of 89-number 1, 36-number 2 and 28-number 3 world rankings in the freestyle, butterfly, backstroke and I.M. She has competed in four FINA World Championships in Montreal, Riccione, Budapest and Stanford, winning 14 gold and four silver medals.

Maurine says Master swimming has become a major part of her life. And what a life she has!!!

“Four mornings a week before dawn’s early light. I tackle two freeways and drive to the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center for a Masters team workout. I must confess to being frequently tardy, which I attribute to traffic, not my indolence. It’s such fun swimming with my teammates who are remarkably tolerant of my snail pace and who literally swim circles around me. After our coach Chad Durieux, announces ‘THE END’, a group of us hang out in the hot tub as a further ‘cool down’ and settle the problems of the world.

“Once I’m dry behind my ears, I go off for another major activity: that of being a docent at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and also, being a docent and giving tours at the historic Los Angeles Union Station,” said Kornfeld.

Maurine Kornfeld’s secret lies in survival: “If you can’t outswim them, outlive them!

Kornfeld will be inducted as part of a group of nine (9) outstanding individuals will be inducted at the IMSHOF’s annual ceremony. The event will be held at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in conjunction with the 2018 United States Aquatic Sports XXXVIX Convention.

The prestigious IMSHOF class of 2018 includes four swimmers, two divers, one synchronized swimmer, one water polo player and one contributor, from five (5) different countries: the USA, Austria, Germany, Brazil and Japan:

SWIMMER INDUCTEES: MAURINE KORNFELD (USA), HITOMI MATSUDA (JPN), MARCUS MATTIOLI (BRA), JURGEN SCHMIDT (USA),
DIVER INDUCTEES: MARY BENNETT (USA), IRMTRAUD BOHN (AUT)
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER INDUCTEE: BETH CAREY (USA),
WATER POLO PLAYER INDUCTEE: WOLF-RÜDIGER SCHULZ (GER)
CONTRIBUTOR INDUCTEE: WALT REID (USA)

In addition to honoring the IMSHOF Honorees, ISHOF will be recognizing Swimming World Magazine’s Top Ten Masters Swimmers from 2017.

Swimming World Magazine‘s Top Twelve Masters Swimmers for 2017 are: Men – Rick Colella (USA), Sergey Geybel (RUS), Nicolas Granger (FRA), Karl Hauter (GER), Willard Lamb (USA), and Darian Townsend (USA); Women – Noriko Inada (USA), Maurine Kornfeld (USA), Betty Lorenzi (USA), Karlyn Pipes (USA), Diann Uustal (USA), and Laura Val (USA).

The event is open to the public and free of charge. Book Your Hotel

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, call Meg-Keller-Marvin at 570 584-4367 or e-mail: meg@ishof.org