Maurine Kornfeld, “Mighty Mo” 100, a Champion Swimmer
How one lady proved age is just a number and her’s is listed.
How one lady made many stand up or sit up and take note of her talent that has earned her the name “Mighty Mo” as she swam turning 100 on Saturday was celebrated as a champ by many.
Maurine Kornfeld, a late bloomer, took up the sport when she was 60, setting records unlike any other. Murine Kornfeld at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center greeted everyone with joy as she became one of America’s most decorated masters swimmers, over years of swimming.
Mighty Mo, at the ripe young age of 100, Kornfeld, is a many-time national champion and holder of 20 age-group world records, once again celebrated her success among her much younger peers, turning 100 on her celebrated birthday on Saturday.
Fellow swimmers marveled at the aquatic prowess of a woman who didn’t begin serious swimming until she turned 60 and swam regularly at pools along with the Pasadena masters team, and competed around the world.
Kornfeld is a graduate of the University of Chicago and all of her early life was filled with gaining knowledge and being an intellectual. Pasttime as a young girl was frequent trips to the library and this fed her desire to learn and learn more. As a young adult who had gotten her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work moved to Los Angeles and launched a career in social work.
She was an avid hiker, and swimmedoccasionally, but after retirement had found her way to Masters Swimming, a program for aquaphiles of all abilities. She only joined the masters’ team at the Glendale YMCA because they occupied all the lanes.
Before she realized what was happening as her first coach instructed her how to swim with her head down, and thereafter coach Dom Neefe had her not only streamlining but swimming in meets, and winning.
On the day she turned 100, her teammates wanted to have a party but she advised them to keep all low-keyed and for them not to make a fuss. When you are that age being that age and doing what you love, everyday is a celebration of life. She lives on purpose with much glee.
Kornfeld has outlived most of her competitors, she is one of the oldest registered masters swimmers in America. She qualified to swim in the 100-to-104 age bracket. She swam in freestyle and backstroke events last summer and bagged six more world records.
Kornfeld has a zest and an appreciation for her longevity and does her best to be a beacon of light and wisdom for all, especially her younger competitors. She conveyed starting her day with swimming is the best way to start her day, getting the cobwebs out of the brain and allowing the water to soothe her body.
In conclusion, at 100 years old, Kornfeld has proven that age is just a number and you can use it or lose it. Making a difference in others’ lives is paramount and living a life of gratitude, is the only way to truly live as can be seen in Kornfeld’s life. For additional reads:
