Thursday, June 24, 2021

ISHOF 2021 Induction Ceremony to include Masters Class of 2021


The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) is proud to announce that it will be including this year’s MISHOF (Masters) prestigious Class of 2021 to its Saturday evening Induction program.  This year ISHOF will add the MISHOF (Masters) Class of 2021’s nine honorees from five countries; four swimmers, one coach, one diver, one water polo player, one synchronized swimmer, and one contributor.  ISHOF Honoree and Sullivan Award Winner, Debbie Meyer, and double Olympic gold-medalist and everyone’s favorite Olympic swimming broadcaster, Rowdy Gaines will be co-emcees and hosts of the induction on Saturday, October 9, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

This year’s 2021 MISHOF, Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame honorees include:

SWIMMERS:

EDITH BÖHM (GER)

Since 1986, Edith Bohm has been in the Top Ten 22 times until 2008 when she competed in her last swim meet in Bavaria. She set 15 long course and 13 short course FINA Masters World Records in the breaststroke, one of them lasting seven years. Bohm has competed in seven FINA Masters World Championships between 1986 and 2004 winning a total of 29 medals, 18 of them gold. 

OLGA KOKORINA (RUS) 

Olga Kokorina

Photo Courtesy: Olga Kokorina

Russia’s Olga Kokorina, born in 1923, has been a swimmer her entire life but did not start swimming Masters until 1998.. She broke world records in almost every competition she entered.  Her last recorded races were in 2015 where she swam in the 90-94 age group at the Russian Masters cup. In her 17 years in Masters swimming she broke 34 world records and won more than 50 gold medals. 

CLAY BRITT (USA)

Clay Britt has been swimming competitively for 54 straight years. He has 23 FINA Masters World Records to his name and has competed in seven age groups. He has been in the Top Ten every year for a total of 30 times, between the years 1988 through 2018.

SHIGEHISA SEKIKAWA (JPN)

Since 1991, Shigehisa Sekikawa has been in the Top Ten world rankings 24 times.  He has set 14 long course and 17 short course FINA backstroke Masters World Records. His 1998 200m backstroke short course world record in the 65 to 70 age group stood for 7 years. 

DIVER

DAVID COTTON (USA)

DavidCotton

Photo Courtesy: David Cotton

David Cotton has competed in USA Masters Nationals since 1992, has competed in the Pan Am Masters, the Masters World Games and eight FINA World Championships, winning 26 World Championship medals:  11 gold, 12 silver and three bronzes.  He has set two world records.  

SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER

BIRTE HOHLSTEIN – JANSSEN (GER)

Birte Hohlstein

Photo Courtesy: Birte Hohlstein

Birte Hohlstein-Janssen has been  a loyal Masters synchronized swimmer since 1994.  Birte has attended 11 FINA Masters World Championships since 1994 and has won at least one gold or silver medal in 10 of the 11 meets. This success comes despite being hampered by the fact that there is no Masters team in her region. So she and Silke have been limited to only doing solo and duet, except when they briefly joined a team based in Berlin. This brought them the gold medal in team, as well as duet, at the 1998 FINA Worlds in Casablanca, Morocco.

WATER POLO PLAYER:

GUENTER WOLF (GER)

Günter Wolf was an active water polo player from 1962 to 1978, a five-time German National Champion.  Wolf played 131 matches for the German National Team between 1969 and 1976 and took part in the 1972 (4th) and 1976 (6th)  Olympic Games. From 2000 until now he has been involved with Masters Water Polo. With his team SC Duesseldorf, he has participated in eight FINA Masters World Championships, winning five gold, two silver and one bronze. 

CONTRIBUTOR:

ROSE CODY (PUR) 

rose-cody

Photo Courtesy: Rose Cody

Rose Cody is one of the most influential people in Masters Artistic (Synchronized) Swimming.  She became a member of the FINA Masters Committee in 1994 and remained on the committee until 2017. During this time she served as the Synchronized Swimming Director at every FINA Masters World Championships from 1994 through 2017. 

She was a FINA judge from 1976 to 2004 when mandatory age requirements caused her retirement. She has been a referee, judge and administrator at all events from grassroots to CCCAN, CISC and CAC (Central American and Caribbean Games). She has conducted clinics in over 18 countries throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean.

COACH:

KERRY O’BRIEN (USA)  

KO'Brien1

Kerry O’Brien. Photo Courtesy: Swimming World Archive

Kerry O’Brien’s engagement and commitment to swimming has been a lifelong endeavor.  His participation in U.S. Masters Swimming has resulted in significant enhanced member benefits such as increased skill development, participation and overall enjoyment.  Kerry’s contributions and service to U.S. Masters have focused on all facets of coaching. His 40-year tenure leading Walnut Creek Masters defines his is a legacy of service and giving back to the sport.

The ISHOF and MISHOF Induction Weekend Schedule

Friday, October 8, 2021

Paragon & ISHOF Awards Night

  • 5:30 pm Cocktails
  • 6:30 pm ISHOF and Paragon Awards

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Honoree Induction Day Luncheon – Meet Rowdy Gaines and go on a behind the scenes tour of the Aquatic Complex construction

  • 12-1:30 pm Luncheon

Official 56th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame and Masters Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner

  • 5:30 pm VIP Reception
  • 6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner

Ticket Information

  • October 8-9th Complete Weekend Package (Includes Paragon/ISHOF Awards Night, Saturday Luncheon, and Induction Ceremony)

ISHOF Members $350

ISHOF Non-Members $425 BEST PRICE!!

  • October 8th Paragon Awards and ISHOF Awards Night (Hors D’oeuvres and Open Bar) 5:30 pm

ISHOF Members $75

ISHOF Non-Members $100

  • October 9th Saturday Luncheon 12:00-1:30 pm

ISHOF Members $35

ISHOF Non-Members $50

  • October 9th ISHOF and Masters Induction Ceremony and Dinner

5:30 pm

ISHOF Members $275

ISHOF Non-Members $300

10 Person Table $3,500 and $5,000 (Prime location) options

*See all ticket options here. 

HOTEL INFORMATION

Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full-service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000

Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $259 per night

Book your group rate for International Swimming Hall of Fame

NOTE: RESORT FEE IS INCLUDED in the $259 rate

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach

440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733

Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 per night

Honoree Ceremony October 9, 2021
Start Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2021
End Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Last Day to Book: Friday, September 15, 2021

Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony October 2021

Questions: contact Meg Keller-Marvin at meg@ishof.org or 570-594-4367

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

US Olympic Coach David Marsh to be Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as part of Class of 2021

David Marsh is the Head Coach of Team Elite Aquatics, located in San Diego, California. Marsh was the 2016 Head U.S. Olympic Women’s Swim Coach in Rio, leading Team USA to the most medals in USA Swimming’s already storied history.

david-marsh-rick-demont-2015-fina-world-championships

Photo Courtesy: Maria Dobysheva

Under Marsh’s leadership, Team USA dominated the swimming competition in Rio with a final medal haul of eight gold, four silver and four bronze. His Team Elite club placed more U.S. Olympians than any program in the country, six, with Kathleen BakerCammile Adams, co-captain Anthony ErvinJimmy FeigenRyan Lochte and Katie Meili all earning gold medals. If Team Elite were a country, they would have placed third in the 2016 Rio Olympics medal standings.

Dave Marsh with members of Team USA

David Marsh and Members of Team USA with their medals

Come and meet Marsh in person and hear his incredible life story at the ISHOF Induction dinner on Saturday, October 9, 2021. Become an ISHOF Legacy Member and attend the ISHOF Induction Dinner for FREE. Can’t attend the event? Please consider donating to ISHOF, support Marsh and our other inspirational Honorees.

More about David Marsh:

Prior to founding Team Elite, Marsh was the men’s and women’s swimming coach at Auburn University. Marsh led the men’s team to seven NCAA national championships (1997, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007) and the women’s team to five national championships (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007). Marsh is the most successful Auburn coach regardless of sport and he is arguably the most successful in the state of Alabama and the SEC. Marsh’s 12 NCAA titles surpass the six won by football coach Bear Bryant at Alabama. Marsh has won 17 SEC titles (13 men and 4 women), by far the most of any Auburn coach or team. In 2003 he led both the men’s and women’s teams to a sweep of the NCAA titles, a first in collegiate Swimming and Diving. Marsh and the Tigers went on to repeat this accomplishment three more times (2004, 2006, and 2007).

david-marsh-team-elite

Photo Courtesy: Lee & London Public Relations

Marsh has coached 49 Olympians from 19 different countries. His swimmers have combined to win 89 individual NCAA titles and 277 individual SEC titles.

About the International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Weekend:

The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Induction Ceremony is shaping up to be a star-studded weekend with ISHOF Honoree and Sullivan Award Winner, Debbie Meyer, and double Olympic gold-medalist and everyone’s favorite Olympic swimming broadcaster, Rowdy Gaines acting as co-emcees and hosts of the induction with multiple events spread out over two days in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Make your plans now to attend the weekend of October 8-9, 2021!  ISHOF Members can purchase the Complete Weekend Package (see below) and save! (Get info on membership here.) Can’t attend the event? Donate to ISHOF to support our honorees.

This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:

In addition to the Class of 2020, two Honorees from the Class of 2019, who were unable to attend last year, will be present to be inducted. Honor Swimmer: Otylia Jedrzejczak (POL) and Honor Diver: Li Ting (CHN).

Get more information about this year’s induction class here and more information about Otylia Jedrzejczak and Li Ting.

*deceased

The Induction Weekend Schedule

Friday, October 8, 2021

Paragon & ISHOF Awards Night

  • 5:30 pm Cocktails
  • 6:30 pm ISHOF and Paragon Awards

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Honoree Induction Day Luncheon – Meet Rowdy Gaines and go on a behind the scenes tour of the Aquatic Complex construction

  • 12-1:30 pm Luncheon

Official 56th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner

  • 5:30 pm VIP Reception
  • 6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner

Ticket Information

  • October 8-9th Complete Weekend Package (Includes Paragon/ISHOF Awards Night, Saturday Luncheon, and Induction Ceremony)

ISHOF Members $350

ISHOF Non-Members $425 BEST PRICE!!

  • October 8th Paragon Awards and ISHOF Awards Night (Hors D’oeuvres and Open Bar) 5:30 pm

ISHOF Members $75

ISHOF Non-Members $100

  • October 9th Saturday Luncheon 12:00-1:30 pm

ISHOF Members $35

ISHOF Non-Members $50

  • October 9th Induction Ceremony and Dinner5:30 pm

ISHOF Members $275

ISHOF Non-Members $300

10 Person Table $3,500 and $5,000 (Prime location) options

*See all ticket options here.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000

Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $259 per night

Book your group rate for International Swimming Hall of Fame

NOTE: RESORT FEE IS INCLUDED in the $259 rate

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach

440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733

Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 per night

Honoree Ceremony October 9, 2021
Start Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2021
End Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Last Day to Book: Friday, September 15, 2021

Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony October 2021

Questions: contact Meg Keller-Marvin at meg@ishof.org or 570-594-4367

Friday, June 18, 2021

Happy Birthday Nobutaka Taguchi !!!

Nobutaka Taguchi (JPN) 1987 Honor Swimmer

FOR THE RECORD: OLYMPIC GAMES: 1972 gold (100m, 200m breaststroke); 1976 member of Japan Olympic Team; WORLD RECORDS: 2 (100m breaststroke); WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1973 bronze (100m, 200m breaststroke); 1975 silver (100m breaststroke).

In 1972, Nobutaka Taguchi won Japan's first Olympic swimming gold medal since 1956.  Fifteen years is a long dry spell for the proud nation that held the world's first competitive swimming championships in 1810.  Japan dominated the 1932 and 1936 Olympics and won the breaststroke crown in 1928, 1932, 1936 and 1956 in spite of three radical rule changes that  completely changed the stroke each time.

Taguchi did it all alone in 1972 beating three Americans in his Olympic victory.  He was the only Nippon winner, as Americans dominated the 1971 Japanese Nationals the year before the Olympics, and he followed his Olympic triumph by again beating John "the rocket" Hencken in the Santa Clara Invitational in 1973.  Taguchi's accomplishments are all the more remarkable in that he won during a five year era dominated by Hencken and David Wilkie, two of the greatest breaststrokers of all time.  He also bronzed behind "the Rocket" and the "Flying Scott" in the 200 breaststroke at Munich and in both breaststrokes in the 1975 World Championships at Cali.  He closed out his career at the Olympics in Montreal.

The highlight of his career was definitely his "Lone Ranger" over three Olympic champions and a fourth world record holder in Munich.  Taguchi is today a world renowned construction executive, a fitting follow up for Japan's best constructed swimmer in many years.

Montenegrin and Yugoslavian Water Polo Player, Mirko Vičević to be Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as part of Class of 2021

Mirko Vičević has won gold at every major event on the water polo world stage; the Olympic Games, the World Championships and the FINA World Cup.  His original club was Primorac of Kotor, Montenegro (formerly Yugoslavia), where he played from 1982 to 1989. After that, he played for several teams, Jadran, in Split, Croatia, Savona (Italy) Barcelona (Spain) Brixia (Brescia, Italy) and Pro Recco (Italy). Vicevic won the LEN Trophy for the years 2002, 2003 and 2006 with his club Brixia, and was selected as Best Sportsman of the Municipality of Kotor in 1986, 1988 & 1989 and Best Sportsman in Montenegro in 1988.

[caption id="attachment_409833" align="aligncenter" width="500"]Mirko_Vicevic_competing Mirko Vičević mid-play Photo Courtesy: Mirko Vicevic[/caption][caption id="attachment_409832" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Mirko_Vicevic_underwater Mirko Vičević Photo Courtesy: Mirko Vičević[/caption]

Meet Vičević in person and hear his incredible life story at the ISHOF Induction dinner on Saturday, October 9, 2021.  Become an ISHOF Legacy Member and attend the ISHOF Induction dinner for FREE. Can’t attend the event? Please consider donating to ISHOF, support Vičević and our other inspirational Honorees.

[caption id="attachment_409834" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Mirko_Vicevic_and_team Mirko Vičević on the Savona team in Italy Photo Courtesy: Ribelli Savona[/caption]

More about Mirko Vicevic:

After retiring in 1991 Mirko graduated from the School of Water Polo Trifun-Miro Ćirković and began coaching water polo. He received his coaching diploma in 1997. As a coach he won the Italian Junior Championships with the water polo club Savona in 1999. Since 2008, he has been the A-Team Coach of the newly-founded club, Vaterpolo Akademija Cattaro, where he is also the team manager, winning the LEN Trophy in the season 2009/2010. Vičević won the European championship gold medal in 2013, with the National Junior Team of Montenegro.  He has also been the adviser of sport in the municipality of Kotor since December 2013.

[caption id="attachment_409831" align="aligncenter" width="800"]Mirko_Vicevic_Vaterpolo_Akademija_Cattaro Mirko Vičević at Akademija Cattaro Photo Courtesy: Mirko Vičević[/caption]

About the International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Weekend:

The International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) Induction Ceremony is shaping up to be a star-studded weekend with ISHOF Honoree and Sullivan Award Winner, Debbie Meyer, and double Olympic gold-medalist and everyone’s favorite Olympic swimming broadcaster, Rowdy Gaines acting as co-emcees and hosts of the induction with multiple events spread out over two days in beautiful Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Make your plans now to attend the weekend of October 8-9, 2021!  ISHOF Members can purchase the Complete Weekend Package (see below) and save! (Get info on membership here.) Can’t attend the event? Donate to ISHOF to support our honorees.

This year’s International Swimming Hall of Fame Honorees include:

In addition to the Class of 2021, the MISHOF, Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame Class of 2021 will be inducted.

Get more information about this year’s induction class here and more information about the Masters Class, Click here:

*deceased

The Induction Weekend Schedule

Friday, October 8, 2021

Paragon & ISHOF Awards Night

  • 5:30 pm Cocktails
  • 6:30 pm ISHOF and Paragon Awards

Saturday, October 9, 2021

Honoree Induction Day Luncheon – Meet Rowdy Gaines and go on a behind the scenes tour of the Aquatic Complex construction

  • 12-1:30 pm Luncheon

Official 56th Annual International Swimming Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner

  • 5:30 pm VIP Reception
  • 6:30 –10:00 pm Induction Ceremony & Dinner

Ticket Information

  • October 8-9th Complete Weekend Package (Includes Paragon/ISHOF Awards Night, Saturday Luncheon, and Induction Ceremony)

ISHOF Members $350

ISHOF Non-Members $425 BEST PRICE!!

  • October 8th Paragon Awards and ISHOF Awards Night (Hors D’oeuvres and Open Bar) 5:30 pm

ISHOF Members $75

ISHOF Non-Members $100

  • October 9th Saturday Luncheon 12:00-1:30 pm

ISHOF Members $35

ISHOF Non-Members $50

  • October 9th Induction Ceremony and Dinner5:30 pm

ISHOF Members $275

ISHOF Non-Members $300

10 Person Table $3,500 and $5,000 (Prime location) options

*See all ticket options here.

HOTEL INFORMATION

Host Hotel: Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

Upscale retreat with private beach access, two pools, four restaurants, full service spa and oceanside bar. Location of the Saturday evening induction ceremony. ¼ mile south of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

3030 Holiday Drive, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 525-4000

Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $259 per night

Book your group rate for International Swimming Hall of Fame

NOTE: RESORT FEE IS INCLUDED in the $259 rate

Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach

440 Seabreeze Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 524-8733

Special ISHOF Guest Rate of $169 per night

Honoree Ceremony October 9, 2021
Start Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2021
End Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Last Day to Book: Friday, September 15, 2021

Book your group rate for Honoree Ceremony October 2021

Questions: contact Meg Keller-Marvin at meg@ishof.org or 570-594-4367