IN TRAINING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4169, 5 August 1949, Page 5

IN TRAINING

P. HANAN OF OMAHU

BRITISH EMPIRE GAMES OUTSTANDING N.Z. SWIMMER The Paeroa swimmer, P. Hanan of Omahu, who has been described as one of the greatest swimmers New Zealand has ever produced, has begun training for the British Empire Games in Auckland next year. He is now 34 years of age and has been attending the Tepid Baths in Auckland, daily, concentrating on strokework and swimming considerable distances with arms or legs only. Hanan is still holder of the New Zealand 100 yards record, of 53 4-5 secs. He won the national 220 yards championship from 1938 to 1940 and the 100 yards in 1938 and 1940. His time of 55 secs, in 1938 was the fastest yet registered in the championship. During the war Hanan saw service in India as a fighter pilot and since his discharge has been farming at Omahu. He has done little competitive swimming but has appeared at club nights staged by the Paeroa Amateur Swimming Club in recent seasons. At Thames last year he registered 60 secs, in fresh water. He represented New Zealand in the British Empire Game® in Sydney in 1938.