MAORI SWIMMER THIRD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 170, 20 October 1941, Page 6

MAORI SWIMMER THIRD

ROTORUA CONTESTANT IN 100

METRES

H. Ralema, the Rotorua Moiri swimmer, was defeated by the Egyptian champion, Khadri Mahmoud, in the 100 metres freestyle event at the Egyptian swimming championships. Ratema, who finished third to Mahmoud and Ali Bagdabi, appears to find the 100 metres too far. He swam well in second place over the greater part of the distance, but could not hold on and was beaten for second by Bagdabi with about four metres to go. Tl« j winner's time was (52 2-5 sees, and Ratema's time (55 :5-5 sees.

The Maori boy's time was almost h second slower than that in whirli he won his heat the previous week. On that occasion lie covered the 100 metres in (51 !-f> sees. Ra tenia holds the record for the baths at the. New Zealand base camp where he Avon the 100 yards freestyle secently. He swam the distance in 5!) 'W> sees, beating the previous record of GO 1-5 held by Noel Crump, the New Zealand champion. Ratema's best time for 100 yards in the Dominion was s(> sees.- In all his recent swims he has led over the first length or two, but has then appeared to tire. The extra eight odd yards in the 100 metres in the championships seemed, to make all the difference to him, for at the 100 yards mark lie was swimming a good second.

The finals of the Egyptian championships were held in the presence of His Majesty King Farouk who presented trophies to the winners.