VENICE — One Venice native is defying his age, having won multiple medals at the Pan-American Masters Games in Cleveland, Ohio, last month.
Gerry Chojnowski, 75, took to the pool at Cleveland State University, winning a gold, a silver and two bronze medals during the competition.
Chojnowski won gold in the 200 long-course breaststroke event (5:00.10), the silver in the 100 long-course breaststroke event (2:17.26) and a pair of bronzes in the 400 long-course freestyle (8:35.09) and the 800 long-course freestyle (17:29.98) events.
“It was quite an experience going to the Pan-American Games,” Chojnowski said. “There was 27 sports and over 70 countries represented. Somebody told me that over 4,000 athletes were there in Cleveland to compete. It was neat to be able to go there and win a few medals.”
Having grown up in Ohio, it was extra special to Chojnowski to be able to perform so well and visit with friends and family all in the same trip.
“That was a great thing about going up to Cleveland for the Pan-American Games,” Chojnowski said. “My brother and sister still live up there, so I got to see them and all of my nieces and nephews along the way.”