In Guwahati, a 66-year-old woman has shown that age does not have to stop anyone from dreaming or trying something new. Ruth Gomez, who had once given up swimming due to life responsibilities and health problems, has returned to the pool after nearly twenty years and surprised herself by winning medals at a state championship.
Ruth won a silver medal in the 100-metre backstroke and a bronze medal in the 50-metre freestyle at the 11th Assam Masters Swimming Championship 2025 held recently in Guwahati. She competed in the 65 to 69 years age group. For someone who only returned to swimming a few months ago because of health issues and not for competition, this achievement feels emotional and meaningful.
Speaking exclusively to Northeast Scoop, Ruth said she had first learned swimming around twenty years ago during a summer break while she was working at Don Bosco School. She used to swim at B.P. Chaliha Swimming Pool at Nehru Stadium. But once school reopened and her routine got busy, she could not find time to continue. She tried again briefly in 2016 and 2017 when there was a morning batch for ladies, but that too stopped after a year or two. Life moved on, and swimming became a forgotten part of her routine. 
Things changed last year when she met a friend with whom she had learned swimming many years ago. That friend encouraged her to return to the pool. Ruth was also struggling with several health problems, including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and autoimmune hepatitis, which affected her energy and mobility. She also had shoulder and knee pain and had gained weight. She felt that exercise could help her body, so she decided to join the pool again, this time mainly for health and not for competition.
Ruth began swimming again in May 2025. She joined the early morning batch from 5:30 to 6:15 AM and slowly restarted her routine. In the beginning, she could not even swim 25 metres without stopping. Her breathing was weak and her stamina was very low. She stayed near the shallow side of the pool because she felt nervous about going to the deeper part. She feared that her strokes would take her underwater and that she might not manage well. But she kept trying, day after day, hoping that her body would slowly improve.
Her coach at the pool, David Chetia, who is also a national-level technical swimming officer, saw her effort. He encouraged her gently but firmly, asking her to move to the deeper side and to trust herself. He stayed in the water during sessions and guided her movements, correcting her strokes, her posture, her kicks and her breathing whenever needed. Slowly, she gained confidence. Soon she started swimming 250 to 300 metres in a session. She built strength and breathing rhythm, though it took time and a lot of patience.
Even then, Ruth never imagined taking part in a competition. “I told my coach I was not prepared,” she said. “I only joined swimming again to improve my health. I did not think about medals or racing.” But the coach insisted. He saw something in her. He believed that she could challenge herself more. Her teammates also encouraged her and asked her to try. Ruth finally agreed, not with the hope of winning, but simply to experience what it felt like to swim in a competition.
The championship brought together swimmers from across Assam, ranging from 25 years old to more than 70 years old. For Ruth, just walking into the competition pool felt like a milestone. It was her first time in a competitive environment, and she felt nervous as she stood at the starting line. But when the race began, she focused on her strokes and the calm rhythm she had practiced. She swam without thinking too much about others and without expecting anything in return.
To her surprise, she not only completed her races but also won medals. “I never expected it,” she said. “I went only to participate and see how it feels. But with encouragement from the coach and my teammates, I was able to do it.” For her, the medals are not just awards — they are symbols of courage, discipline and faith.
Ruth says swimming has helped her deal with body pain, especially her knee and shoulder discomfort. It has improved her breathing and stamina and made her feel more active throughout the day. She also does light gym exercises twice a week to build her muscles and support her swimming strength. For her, swimming is not only a sport — it has become a part of her health routine and mental well-being.
A strong part of her journey, she says, is her faith. She believes that God protected her every day and gave her courage to continue, especially when she felt weak or doubtful. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” she said, recalling how she prayed for strength every time she drove to the stadium and entered the pool. She gives credit to her faith for giving her peace, protection and strength during practice and on competition day.
Ruth now encourages other senior citizens to not give up on physical activity just because of age. She shared that there is even a 69-year-old woman who swims regularly with them at the pool. She says that swimming helps not only the body but also the mind. “Age is just a number,” she said firmly. “We can still move, we can still learn and we can still be active.” She believes many elders feel weak because they stop moving and assume they cannot start again. She hopes her journey will motivate more senior citizens to try.
She also praises her coach, saying that his guidance made her improvement possible. She mentioned that he once swam across the Brahmaputra River from Sadiya to Guwahati, a long and difficult achievement that did not get enough recognition because social media was not widely used at that time. She believes good coaches play a key role in shaping athletes and encouraging them to push their limits safely.
The 11th Assam Masters Swimming Championship, organised by the Assam Swimming Association, has become a platform where people from different age groups can celebrate fitness and sports. The event saw swimmers from several districts participating across multiple strokes and age brackets. For Ruth, this competition is not only a highlight of her year but a turning point in her life.
Her story stands as a gentle reminder that it is never too late to return to a passion, to rebuild one’s strength, or to begin again after a long break. It reminds us that courage sometimes arrives slowly, and victories are sometimes quiet not loud or dramatic. They come through early mornings, small steps, steady practice and belief in oneself.
In a world where many young people struggle to find motivation to exercise, Ruth’s journey shows how simple determination and routine can create change. She hopes more people, especially seniors, will try swimming or any physical activity suitable for their body. “Do not think life is over because of age,” she said. “Movement is life. Health comes from movement. Just start. Slowly you will feel the difference.”
Ruth did not set out to win medals. She simply wanted to heal and become strong again. But her simple and steady effort has become an example for many. Her medals shine not only for her but for everyone who believes age is a wall. Her story proves that age can also be a doorway; if you decide to open it.
