A former Team GB youth swimmer who gave up the sport to focus on university has earnt herself a second-chance by qualifying for the World Masters Swimming Championships.
Emma Gage, of Stockport, used to swim up to 80,000m a week and qualified for the European Olympics team, but opted to stop her professional training in order to focus on her education and career.
But after taking a position at QDos Fitness in Heald Green in 2013, the 26-year-old has been training by doing Crossfit, a sport that combines Olympic weightlifting, gymnastics, sprinting and rowing.
And after an old teammate persuaded her to get back in the pool, Gage found that her new regime had her in shape to swim even better than she had at her teenage peak.
“I explained that I’d not swam for over four years, but I agreed to take part as I thought it’d be fun,” she said.
“I was a little nervous on the day, but I couldn’t quite believe how well I did.
“We won everything and unbelievably I even smashed my personal best’s from the time I was swimming competitively and training ten times a week.”
Gage has not stopped there, seizing this second opportunity for swimming success with both hands, and securing a place for the World Masters Swimming Championships in Russia this August.
And she is convinced that it is her Crossfit training that has paved the way for her increased performance.
“CrossFit has made me stronger and faster than ever – it’s amazing,” she said.
“Even my teammate, Louise Richards, has joined my CrossFit Box as she can’t believe how it’s improved my swimming.”
The fitness club that she works at is understandably enthused by Gage’s success, and will fund her flights and accommodation for the Russian event.
QDos Director, Adam Chapman, said: “We are all so very proud of Emma and her success.
“She’s a hard worker both at the gym and in the pool and this has paid off with her upcoming opportunity.”
