NEVER SO EXCITED

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 48, 26 February 1938, Page 8

NEVER SO EXCITED

JUDITH WEBSTER IN SYDNEY HIGH PRAISE FOR MONA LEYDON

The former New Zealand champion breaststroke swimmer, Judith Webster, who is back living in her native New South Wales, writes thus to relatives in connection with the final of the 440 yards women’s free-style final at the Empire Games on February 9: “While the performances of most of New Zealand’s swimmers were anything but inspiring, Mona Leydon’s race was wonderful. She drew level with the leading girls at the beginning of the last lap and the crowd was tremendously enthusiastic. It was really a thrilling race and if only she had been a slightly better sprinter she would have won. I don’t think I have ever been so excited over a race—afterwards my hands were tingling as if charged with electrictiy, and I think I must nearly have had a stroke. Everybody made a great fuss of Mona and in congratulating her all declared that she swam an inspiring race and deserved as much glory as if she had won.” The result was: D. Green (Australia) 1, M. Jeffery (England) 2, M. Leydon (New Zealand) 3.