A CHAMPION senior swimmer has returned from an international championship with three medals.
Eighty year old Baz Owen, from Llanfairfechan, was competing in the FINA World Championship, held in Gothenberg, Sweden.
The event marked Baz’s sixth appearance at the finals, as he took the prizes in the 200m individual medley, 200m backstroke and 50m fly.
“You get the full range of people from around the world there, and the atmosphere is just electric in the arena,” said Baz.
“There was such a strong quality of swimmers here - they don’t allow time wasters.
Over the years, Baz has taken more than 19 titles from the finals, and shown no signs of slowing down any time soon.
“I’m going to Russia next year, and if I’m still here then I’ll compete the year after.
“You start to recognise and know people from around the world at each event.
“There was one chap from Dijon, in France, who was 96, and set a new world record in his category.
The competition drew more than 5,000 competitors from across the world in a range of events, including races, diving and synchronised swimming.
“Swimming is something you never give up, and it’ll never leave me,” he added.