SOFLO's Jennifer Martin Stars At 18th World Police And Fire Games In China; Her Final Event Is Aug. 15 Open Water Two-Miler
CHENGDU, China, August 12, 2019—She came, she saw, she conquered.
Jennifer Martin of South Florida Aquatic Club won five gold medals, three silver medals and broke two world records in her international swimming debut at the 18th Chengdu 2019 World Police and Fire Games.
Martin still has the 2-mile open water swim remaining on Aug. 15 at the Jintang Triathlon venue.
The City of Pembroke Pines Police Sergeant swam five individual events and four relays over three days at the Tian Fu Sports Area pool.
On opening day, Martin broke a 10-year-old world record she has been chasing for four years in the 50-meter butterfly in 30.70. Her 200-meter freestyle relay took silver behind China which broke the Martin's relay U.S. world record. Her relay lead-off time was 27.88, just off her world record of 27.86. She also took gold in the 100-meter breaststroke.
On the second day of competition, Martin won the 50-meter backstroke in 34.39. She took another silver in the women's 200-meter medley relay behind China. Her 200-meter mixed freestyle relay took another silver behind China. Her 50-meter relay split was 27.23, another best time.
On her third and final day, Martin took gold in the 50-meter breaststroke and then broke her own world record and won the 50-meter freestyle in 27.70 bettering her previous record of 27.86.
"I dug deep and pulled off my best race of the meet," Martin wrote.
Her mixed medley relay finished out of the medal hunt placing fourth.
"I've made lots of new friends but what I enjoy the most is seeing my old friends," Martin wrote. "My ladies are some of the strongest, badass women I know. First responders, athletes, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and girlfriends. For one week every two years, we get to catch up on life, love and I get to learn so much about other countries from our chats. I am grateful for our time together, but sad to have to say goodbye…for another two years….until Rotterdam."
The World Police & Fire Games are held every two years. The 2021 World Police and Fire Games are July 30-August 8 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
"Competing every two years just doesn't seem enough," Martin wrote on her Facebook page. "I've made so many friends from around the world, and I only get to see them once every two years. I think I love catching up with friends just as much as I love competing. We may speak different languages, but we all have so much in common."
In her last major international competition, the 2017 World Police & Fire Games in Los Angeles, Martin won seven gold medals and one silver and broke five world records over four days of open water and pool racing.
Martin was sponsored by the Broward County PBA (Police Benevolent Association). Toyota of North Miami and several family members and friends also donated to her Blue To Chengdu Go Fund Me.
The World Police and Fire Games is a worldwide sporting event held every two years with more than 10,000 attendees. The games are an Olympic-style competition of policemen and firefighters from 70 countries across the world who compete in 60 sports.
Participants are police officers and firefighters from correction, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs from any country in the world.
Author South Florida Aquatic Club - SOFLO SwimmingPosted on August 12, 2019 Categories South Florida Aquatic ClubTags 18th World Police and Fire Games, China, Jennifer Martin, Pembroke Pines Police Department, SOFLO, South Florida Aquatic Club, swim4sofloLeave a comment on SOFLO's Jennifer Martin Stars At 18th World Police And Fire Games In China; Her Final Event Is Aug. 15 Open Water Two-Miler