By Olivia Jaras

FUKUOKA, JAPAN — Stepping onto the grand stage of World Aquatics Masters Championships in Kyushu, Japan, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. As a fairly new swimmer who had only been swimming masters for less than a year, and has only been *attempting* to swim butterfly for less than half of that time, it’s fair to say I felt slightly intimidated at Kyushu.

While I was humbled by the number of amazing swimmers from all over the world who had gathered for this prestigious event, the atmosphere at the championship was electric. Swimmers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels came together, united by their love for their sport. Olympians, world champions, moms, aunts, granddads, and people from all walks of life were there to perform at their best. It was a competitive atmosphere that simultaneously felt like a 10-day celebration of swimming and swimmers world-wide.

As to be expected, the competition was fierce, yet everybody was there to face, and hopefully exceed, their own personal swim ambitions. I found myself continuously awestruck by the grace and power displayed in the pool.

Witnessing the sheer dedication and talent of these seasoned swimmers was my daily source of inspiration… which came in handy as I faced my biggest challenge yet: To swim the 100 fly in a 50-meter pool, without any tears, and without needing to be scraped from the bottom of the pool after the event.

Though I seriously considered scratching the event, I’m quite proud to report I finished the 100 fly, and did not need a rescue crew to remove me from the pool. My time might have been too slow to officially have been recorded, but I have witnesses to prove I finished.

Admittedly, I couldn’t hold back the tears before the start of the race. Staring down the lane behind the starting blocks, it felt like a daunting swim ahead. I questioned my sanity (and the sanity of everyone around me for voluntarily signing up for this), and why on earth I thought it reasonable to sign up for this event being such a newbie. With one heat to go, I had to clear the tears that had rendered my waterproof goggles useless. And as I cleared them, I looked to over to the stands, and all my New England teammates, my loved ones and my new friends were there cheering me on. 

Beyond the intense competition, what truly made this experience unforgettable, and what I found most invaluable was the sense of belonging I found within the masters swimming community. I may not be anywhere near being the best in the world at any event, but I discovered that in this supportive and inclusive environment, I have a community of people who shared a common purpose and understood the joys and challenges of swimming. The bonds forged during those days in Kyushu extended far beyond the championship itself. I realized that I have found my community, a group of like-minded individuals who will continue to inspire and support me all the way through training… until Singapore in 2025!

While the excitement of Worlds quickly dwindled after settling back into everyday life, I carry with me cherished memories, new friendships, and a deep appreciation for the power of swimming to bring people together. The Masters Swimming World Championship in Kyushu will forever hold a special place in my heart, a testament to the transformative power of sport and the enduring bonds of the masters swimming community.

Olivia Jaras swims for the UVRays and New England Masters. She lives in New Hampshire.