After years of competing in triathlons Anne Besser from Sydney, New South Wales will make her Pan Pacific Masters Games (November 3 – 11) debut on the Gold Coast when she competes in the 2.5km open water swim.
The 65-year-old started triathlons at the age of 48 despite having no background in running, swimming or cycling and has since competed in eight consecutive ITU Triathlon World Championships.
“I first started out as a competitive figure skater. After that fell through I knew I needed to continue challenging myself,” said Anne.
“I went out and bought a bike. I walked into the bike shop and the attendant asked if I was after a mountain or a triathlon bike. Without really thinking I chose a triathlon bike and at that time I couldn’t even run to the mailbox or swim 25 metres.
“In the next few years I started to get really involved in the sport and I did a lot of hard work.
“My times were coming down and my coach at the time said I should enter the Triathlon World Championships. I qualified for my first World Championships in the 50-54 category in Perth in 2000.”
Unfortunately Anne had to retire from competing in triathlons in 2009 due to recurring injuries but participated in her first Australian Masters Games in Adelaide last year and was instantly hooked.
“The ambience and atmosphere at Masters Games’ are spectacular and it’s just a completely different feeling to anything else,” said Anne.
“Masters competitions are all about participation. There are too many people out there who are frightened to take a risk and become involved in these sports. It’s a chance to lead an active and healthy lifestyle and to take up a personal challenge.”
Anne’s preparation for this year’s Pan Pacs has been hampered by injury, including five operations since April, but she is confident she will be fit to take on the 2.5km open water swim.
“I just have to get back in the water and start training again. Unfortunately I won’t be able to compete in some of the cycling events as planned,” said Anne.
“I’m looking forward to going out there and having a good time meeting and supporting other people along the way.
“I’m located in both Sydney and Noosa in Queensland where I train at the Noosa Aquatic Centre with legendary swimmer Jann Croft who has won gold at the Masters Games a couple of times.
“I will be competing alongside with a few of my training partners and we are going to have an incredible time.”
Anne is a recognised member of the Australian Maccabi Sporting Community which aims to connect the Jewish community together through sport.
“I have been awarded the Maccabi Australia Masters Sportswoman of the year five times and I’m currently the Section Manager for triathlon for the Maccabiah Games in Israel next year,” said Anne.
“I have been lucky to qualify for the triathlon twice and win bronze twice and I also won gold at the Maccabi Pan American Games in Buenos Aires.”
Anne states her favourite sporting moment as the time she was selected ahead of more than 900 athletes as Flag Bearer for Australia at the World Triathlon Championships in 2009 on the Gold Coast.
She is also a member of the Triathlon Australia Advisory Committee for Age-Group World Championships and has her eyes set on competing at the Torino World Masters Games in 2013.
The new system was born here and filagra this is not something that we would like to see. Caverta although better in some elements but not significant for us.
