Water Polo player dies during Gwangju World Masters Championships match

Australasian Leisure Management has learned of the death of Robert Wake, a Masters water polo player, who died after collapsing during a match at the recent World Masters Championships in Gwangju, Korea.

Being held following the conclusion of the 2019 FINA World Aquatics Championships, in a Masters match against Australia’s Perth Cockatoos, the 70-year-old died after suffering an acute heart attack.

According to the Gwangju organising committee, the player lost consciousness at the start of the 4th quarter of the match on 10th August.

Immediately removed from the water, emergency responders performed CPR and he was transported to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery. However, he died the following day.

Commenting on Wake’s passing, respected Australian aquatic industry innovator and Masters water polo player Anti Kajlich stated “Bob Wake, a member of my team, died doing what he liked best - playing water polo.

“May he rest peacefully.”

Another tribute read “Bob played Masters polo for at least the last 20 years in places like Australia, Hong Kong, Italy and Korea. He was a member of the Blue Thunder Masters USA Club and played on their 70+ team.

“When not playing polo, Bob and his wife Dee donated their time on medical missions in underdeveloped countries.”

Representatives from Masters water polo have submitted to world swimming governing body FINA that a memorial be created in his name.

The World Masters Championships concluded on 18th August.

Problem's with Gwangju's backstroke ledges
Australasian Leisure Management has also learned of issues with backstoke ledges used during the Gwangju Championships.

Preliminary sessions on 20th and 21st July, saw repeated mishaps involving the backstroke ledges in both the women’s and men’s backstroke heats. As a result, officials made the decision for the ledges not to be used during the semi-finals of the competition.

The backstroke heats saw several women’s races delayed as the backstroke ledges needed to be tended to prior to the starting sequence. The situation worsened with the men’s heats, where two swimmers awarded time trial swims due to starting misfires due to the ledges.

In terms of backstroke ledges and their impact on the race, swimmers typically benefit from better starting grip, body placement and push factor from using the equipment.

The backstroke ledge allows a swimmer to put their weight onto an angled piece of material to push off, rather than trying to grip their feet onto a flat wall at the end of the pool.