Woman celebrates turning 95 by lighting up swimming competition with five world records

Marcus Donaldson
Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:04:02 +0000

A 95-year-old swimmer from Morden in south London has added five more age group world records to her remarkable collection.

Jane Asher, who recently celebrated her 95th birthday, now holds well over 100 Masters swimming records.

The achievement cements her status as one of the most decorated swimmers in the Masters category, which encompasses competitors aged 25 and above.

Ms Asher holds a British Empire Medal in recognition of her commitment to the sport and has earned a place in the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

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Her latest records came as she transitioned into the 95-99 age bracket.

The south Londoner secured her latest records at the 33rd Guernsey International Masters Open, an event she has attended almost annually since 1992.

Ms Asher's connection to the island stretches even further back, as she visited for her honeymoon in 1955.

The weekend brought an unexpected celebration when relatives arrived in Guernsey to mark her 95th birthday.

"I was so pleased to see them – it was brilliant," she said, adding: "I just love the island."

Ms Asher entered multiple events at what will be the competition's final edition, with organisers citing rising costs as the reason for ending the 33-year tradition.

She attributed her longevity in the sport to the well-being it provides and the community surrounding her.

"After you've had a swim, you get out, and you just feel, 'oh, I can go anywhere," she told Guernsey Press.

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She celebrated that swimming "just makes you feel well" and "makes you healthy."

The 95-year-old credited her success to those who have supported her throughout her career.

She said: "I feel grateful. I'm so lucky. I've had the right parents, I've had the opportunities. I've got friends who help. That's absolutely crucial. It's friends that make the whole thing. That's what life's about, isn't it?"

Despite her remarkable tally of records, Ms Asher shows no signs of slowing down, with her sights firmly set on Budapest for her next competition and potentially another world record.

Her approach to racing remains methodical, with careful attention to her rivals' performances.

"I'm watching what the others are doing because I never go too fast. Pacing is the most important, especially in these long swims," she said.

Originally from Zambia, she has taken her swimming journey across the globe, including the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, France and Spain.

She claimed her first Master's record in 1986 and had reached 100 records by the age of 80.