REDDITCH Swimming Club’s Men’s captain Paul Wilkes won gold in the 200m butterfly at the LEN European Aquatics Masters Championships held in Rome, Italy.
Wilkes was swimming for the City of Birmingham Masters squad in the 35 to 39 years age group and clinched the gold medal in a time of 2 minutes 11.59 seconds at Stadio Olimpico del Nuoto.
The Redditch swimmer finished more than three and a half seconds clear of Spain’s Pedro Mi Serrano Vazquez in second with Israel’s Daniel Katzir claiming bronze.
Redditch SC’s Vice Chair, Paul Hartland said: “It’s great to see Paul’s name next to the Union Flag at the top of the results list.
“The club’s successes in the past 12 months have been unprecedented. The club has achieved top spot in gold medals at the Worcester County Championship, won the Worcester Winter League for only the second time in the club’s history, achieved fourth place in the Regional Final of the National Arena League and won the Worcester County Team Relay Competition.
“Our Head Coach, Jon Fletcher, was appointed to the role in August in 2021. Supported by a team of talented coaches, Jon has taken the club to new heights and the establishment of a new squad structure is aimed at reaching higher.
“The squad structure will provide a clear pathway for athlete development and membership of the National Squad may be an aspiration for all Redditch Swimmers.”
Wilkes undertakes all of his training at Redditch SC where he trains with the newly-formed National Squad with the aim to develop local swimmers to reach their maximum potential and compete at regional and national events.
And Wilkes’s success in Rome is an example of what can be achieved by being committed to the sport and is a fabulous role model for the younger swimmers
Redditch SC have recently been sponsored by local businesses ACS Construction – Midlands and Andy’s Fish Bar who have both provided funds to help the club achieve its aspiration of becoming one of the top clubs in the region.
Hartland added: “Any business that wants to be associated with a quality high achieving sporting team and assist in providing opportunities to the children of Redditch may sponsor the club.”
For details on how to sponsor the club, visit: redditchswim.org.uk
