“I’m ripped at 76 – I’m smashing swimming records and feel like I'm in my 20s"
- 6 months ago
Meet the ripped 76-year-old who is still smashing swimming records – and feels as good as he did in his 20s.
Ex-British team swimmer Gordon Black got back in the pool at the age of 55 for rehab following a collarbone injury.
He quickly rediscovered his love for the sport and took the Canadian 100 metre freestyle record for his age category – aged 55.
Gordon moved to Bordeaux, France, with his wife, Barbara Black, 70, a copy editor, and continued to beat records.
In April this year he beat the French National Masters swim record for 50 metre freestyle and is in the World Aquatics top ten for his age.
Gordon, an author, originally from Aberdeen, Scotland said: “I broke my collarbone and went back in the pool.
“It doesn’t take a lot of exercise to make a lot of difference. I feel good every day. I feel the same as I always have.”
Gordon started swimming for Britain team aged 20 and competed for five years – and was a finalist in the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
He then ditched the swimming due to low pay and moved to Canada, working various office jobs before becoming an equestrian coach.
He said: "I left swimming because I had to make a living."
Gordon thought he had left his swimming days behind him before he found himself back in the pool to help with a collarbone injury aged 55.
He said: “I then thought I might as well go to a competition. I got the 100m freestyle record aged 55 – it was one minute and two seconds.”
Gordon moved to France in 2004 and continued to swim – and heads to the pool two to three times a week, preferring front crawl.
He said: “It must have a good impact on my wellbeing. I don’t eat processed meat. I have lots of veggies.”
Gordon doesn’t stick to a strict regime but feels his swimming keeps him in shape.
He spends his days writing romance and comedy novels.
He said: “The lifeguards are very respectful. They say this is the kind of shape they hope to be in when they are my age.”
Gordon ranked fifth on the Fina World Top Ten Masters 75 to 79 50metres Freestyle, and eighth for 50 metres Breaststroke in 2022.
He hopes to smash another record later this month and rank higher – for the 50 metre freestyle.
He said: “I like competing. I like to win.”
Gordon said he feels like he did in his 20s and hopes to keep up the swimming for as long as he can.
He said: “I still feel 20. Dangerously so. I hope to keep going.”
Ex-British team swimmer Gordon Black got back in the pool at the age of 55 for rehab following a collarbone injury.
He quickly rediscovered his love for the sport and took the Canadian 100 metre freestyle record for his age category – aged 55.
Gordon moved to Bordeaux, France, with his wife, Barbara Black, 70, a copy editor, and continued to beat records.
In April this year he beat the French National Masters swim record for 50 metre freestyle and is in the World Aquatics top ten for his age.
Gordon, an author, originally from Aberdeen, Scotland said: “I broke my collarbone and went back in the pool.
“It doesn’t take a lot of exercise to make a lot of difference. I feel good every day. I feel the same as I always have.”
Gordon started swimming for Britain team aged 20 and competed for five years – and was a finalist in the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
He then ditched the swimming due to low pay and moved to Canada, working various office jobs before becoming an equestrian coach.
He said: "I left swimming because I had to make a living."
Gordon thought he had left his swimming days behind him before he found himself back in the pool to help with a collarbone injury aged 55.
He said: “I then thought I might as well go to a competition. I got the 100m freestyle record aged 55 – it was one minute and two seconds.”
Gordon moved to France in 2004 and continued to swim – and heads to the pool two to three times a week, preferring front crawl.
He said: “It must have a good impact on my wellbeing. I don’t eat processed meat. I have lots of veggies.”
Gordon doesn’t stick to a strict regime but feels his swimming keeps him in shape.
He spends his days writing romance and comedy novels.
He said: “The lifeguards are very respectful. They say this is the kind of shape they hope to be in when they are my age.”
Gordon ranked fifth on the Fina World Top Ten Masters 75 to 79 50metres Freestyle, and eighth for 50 metres Breaststroke in 2022.
He hopes to smash another record later this month and rank higher – for the 50 metre freestyle.
He said: “I like competing. I like to win.”
Gordon said he feels like he did in his 20s and hopes to keep up the swimming for as long as he can.
He said: “I still feel 20. Dangerously so. I hope to keep going.”