Sport

Clarry Munns is living proof that age is no barrier to achieving extraordinary success in sport.

With more than three decades of competitive excellence behind her, the Blacktown Masters Swimming Club star has become one of Australia’s most celebrated Masters athletes, inspiring swimmers of all ages through her dedication, discipline and remarkable achievements in the pool.

Clarry’s Masters swimming journey began in 1988 when, at the age of 44, she joined the Blacktown City Masters Swimming Club. That same year she competed at the FINA World Masters Championships, launching a career that would span decades and see her rewrite the record books.

From the outset, Clarry showed exceptional talent across multiple disciplines, particularly backstroke, butterfly and individual medley events. Her performances quickly established her as one of the dominant figures in Australian Masters swimming.

But beyond the medals and records, Clarry is equally admired for her generosity and leadership within the swimming community. Fellow swimmers describe her as encouraging, supportive and always willing to help others improve their technique and confidence in the water.

At Blacktown Masters Swimming Club, she has become a mentor to many, helping foster the welcoming and inclusive environment that Masters swimming is known for.

Her story continues to resonate strongly with older Australians because it demonstrates that passion, commitment and perseverance can lead to incredible achievements at any stage of life.

Now in her early 80s, Clarry still trains and competes at a world-class level, proving elite performance and advancing age can go hand in hand.

Throughout her remarkable career, Clarry has been named Sport NSW Masters Athlete of the Year three times — in 2009, 2015 and 2016. She has also twice been awarded Masters Australia Swimmer of the Year honours, in 2016 and 2019.

Clary Munns nominated for sportsperson of the year 2025. Credit Blacktown Masters Swim Club

Her achievements in the pool are nothing short of extraordinary. Clarry has broken 33 world records, including eight long-course and 25 short-course records. She currently holds 103 Australian records and 129 NSW records across various age groups.

One of her most outstanding seasons came in 2019 when she broke 13 world records in a single year — an incredible accomplishment for any athlete, particularly in the upper Masters age brackets.

Remarkably, Clarry achieved all of this while competing almost exclusively in Australia, earning an incredible 1297 world points through local competitions and record-breaking performances.

In 2023, her achievements were recognised on the international stage when she was inducted into the Masters International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The honour cemented her place among the sport’s elite, making her only the fourth Australian swimmer ever inducted alongside fellow Australian greats Jenny Whiteley, Pam Hutchings and Margaret Cunningham.

Today, Clarry Munns remains admired not only for her extraordinary sporting achievements, but also for the inspiration she provides to the wider community.

For her teammates, fellow competitors and the many people who have followed her journey, Clarry represents the true spirit of Masters sport — proving that determination, passion and hard work can continue to deliver amazing results at any age.