Wout Hemmes was almost born with swimming trunks on. The Coevordenaar can be found in the water all his life. Despite two recent artificial knees, he won no less than six national swimming titles last weekend.
He took it in Amersfoort in the age group 75-79 years. Because Hemmes will soon be 75, he was already allowed to compete in that class. “Being champion six times is of course great. But I am most proud of the Dutch records I have set on the 800 and 1500 meters. Again in my own class. Especially the 1500 meters went smoothly. Just like skating, you can go completely broke if you started too quickly. Luckily I didn’t have any problems with that this time.”
Hemmes recorded a time of 25.43.17 in the 1500 meters. ,,That is a minute slower than three years ago, something you just have to accept at my age. If I train well, I can still achieve such a time in a year. After that, the further decay will irrevocably set in.”
Sleep in?
That training is fine. During the week, he is in the Coevorder swimming pool every day at seven, with the exception of Friday. Then it’s 9 o’clock. Sure to sleep in? “Ah, far from it! On Friday I go to the gym first.”
For a long time, Hemmes struggled with his knees. He immediately felt every unevenness on the floor in his body. “In 2021 I received an artificial knee in my left leg, a year later it was the turn of the right knee. The specialist had told me to be as fit as possible for both operations, because then the recovery would go faster. Well, that came true. I can do everything again now. Got more strength in my legs again, so it’s not despite the artificial knees that I swam so well. Rather thanks.”
‘The only outing was the swimming pool’
He has been swimming for as long as Hemmes can remember. “We didn’t have much at home back then. Our only outing was the swimming pool, because we had a subscription for it. I wasn’t even out of school when I was already in the natural pool. Around the age of fourteen I started playing water polo at De Plons. I did that until I was sixty. The sharpness was off then. To keep in shape, I started swimming seriously.”
At the time, Hemmes still owned the installation company of the same name in Coevorden. ,,When my son Wim joined, I got a little more space. I try to free up an hour every day. The swimsuit was always ready in the car.”
Japan
With such great titles and times, the Masters World Cup in Japan in August beckons. Hemmes would love to go. “But I don’t think that will continue. My wife doesn’t really like flying.” The fact that he has to miss the temples, Mount Fuji and the delicious food doesn’t bother him in the least. There is only one reason to go to Japan. “Evidence.”