SWIMMING.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1923, Page 1

SWIMMING.

A WOULD HEATER

SYDNEY, Jan. 17. Until lii.-'t Saturday the world’s swimming record for the 880yds distance—> 11 m'in 2-1 1-jscc—was held by Norman Ross. A Sydney hoy, Andrew Charlton who is only 15 years of age, lowered that by IDsee. Charlton, now the idol of the swimming world, has for some time been exhibiting a wondorlul turn of speed. The lad first showed promise about three years ago in a half-mile race at Manly. Then but Id years of age, he won against adult swimmers, and has since improved beyond all expectations, lie has the remarkable chest development of 58. J inches normal, with an expansion of IV inches, and it is this wonderful lung capacity that enables him to accomplish so much. His rhythmic stroke is the acme of perfection. He just seems to glide along without the least hit of exertion. He is mil a sprinter, hut his capacity over thu longer distances he has already shown, apd it is impossible to say what he mat accomplish with a lit lie more age. Charlton’s opponents in the re.ee on Saturday, which was for the championship of the State, included { hristie, the holder of the title, and Wilkees. From lie nor,l oo Charlton went ahead and as each lap was left behind the distance widened between him and Christie, who was lying second. From' a few yards it in. i'ea-rd to double that distance at tile end of the second lap. and a few laps later, the big array of stop-watches that were indicating his progress showed that the record must he broken. Ti e en: I;iisiasm oi those in possession ol thi- information communicated itself to the huge crowd, and Charlton ploughed i:i . ; n tow ards a double victory—one at the expense of the record holder—to the accompaniment of a sustained roar. It was a wonder!ul swim. I sing beautifully powerful arm action, swinging .deep, and following up with a powerful thrust, and a natural trudgeon kick and a flutter. Charlton swept, up and down the baths with effortless ease. Over the last I!5 yards he .-printed, and touched the hoard nearly KHi yards ahead of Christie, who was second. An ovation greeted him. and when, after a bieathless silence, the man with the megaphone announced that the time was llmin 5 see. 10 see hotter than (lie previous world’s record, the enthusiasm w;js tloubled. Tho most impressed man over Charlton's swim was Harris, of Honolulu. ■ It wa- ihe most wondorlul tiling f have ever seen," lie said, ••and it will probably he the most wonderful thing ‘-vdney people will ever see. To see a |. - I - I ill, .o' ago : hep 1.0,0 r from a world s record r- almost incredible, and it -hows what a wonderful race it would he between the American champion Weismuller and Charlton. The f rmer is only H years old, and even now ive don’t know what he can do. and it’s the.same with your champion. li;or: had a narrow will ill the !0 )vd- championship race. For this eveni the competitors took their places (0, I',,* hoard ill the following order: - Harr. Ilav Manly) I. K. Kukland CniversilVi *2. F. Carherry (Sydney) 8. W. Darns , Hawaii) I. W. Herald (Manly) 5. N l.ongworth 'Hose Hay) 11. lleek' i Sydney ) 7. \Y. I.ongwnrt h 8. None of the swimmers gam-d an\ ad\a: lego in the take-off dive, and the re.-ul: was in doubt right till Ihe last moment. When half the distance had been - um Hands was leading by a little, with Herald, Hay. and Carherry .■■lose ni). .)• ?s\ds Harris and Herald were neck and ne.-k. Even t u dly ihe Hawaiian competitor won by a touch.