11:09am Saturday 7th November 2009
ELEVEN-year-old Edward Walsh has won bronze and beaten his personal best time at the National Swimming Finals in Sheffield.
Walsh, who lives in Berkeley, swam against the best in the country in the national finals this month and scooped a bronze medal in the 200 metre breast stroke with a time of 2:57.52 seconds; beating his previous best by over seven seconds.
He started swimming at the age of three at Dursley pool before joining Dursley dolphins at age eight and then moving to the Severnside Tritons (formerly Thornbury Swimming Club) when he was ten.
Now Walsh, who hopes to reach the 2016 Olympics, swims six times a week and is aiming to achieve two national times next year.
Angela Gillingham, Dursley Pool manager, said: “We are all really pleased that Edward has blossomed into a national swimmer as we believe that the groundwork we do here at grass roots level is key to helping children achieve the best that they can be.”
Dursley Pool and Sports Centre currently has a popular Learn to Swim programme, as well as a competitive swimming squad which is suitable for all ages.
For further information, contact Dursley Pool on 01453 546441.
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