Blue Thunder on the Road: World Aquatics - Singapore - August 2025

In  August 2025, Blue Thunder Water Polo entered 4 teams in the World Aquatics Masters Championships. The age divisions our Club entered were the 65+, 70+ and 75+ (2 teams).  

Below is a summary report of how each team fared during the Championships (even some swimming)!

  For the first time ever a 75+ Masters Division, at least 3 teams, was formed in the World Aquatics. Water polo has proven that senior athletes still can compete in this rigorous sport. Getting a  Division in older age groups was the dream of Anti Kajlich, who together with Danny Drown formed the first 70+ team in the Montreal World Aquatics, then FINA, in 2014. Anti Kajlich passed away this year just prior to the games. His inspiration to form the first ever 80+ team, still will happen.

Every 35 seconds we try to evade defenders and score a goal or to thwart our opponents from doing the same. That recurring thrill and challenge was experienced for the first time in international competition for a whole division of men 75+, thanks to Blue Thunder leaders Mick Barry, Bob Likins and Jeff Williams, with support from Alan Bowden, Perth Cockatoos, Peter Furmaniak, Germany and Nadine Day (World Aquatics Masters Chairperson).

Mick used his collection of national and international water polo contacts to assemble two USA teams to play against one Australian team. The two Blue Thunder 75+ teams comprised players from the US, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Canada and Finland. 

Every polo player knows a deep bench makes a more formidable team, and Perth, Australia, with 14 players took first, and the two BT teams, with a bench of just 8-9 players, took second (Artifacts) and third (Golden Oldies), The most exhilarating match was between the two BT teams, ending in a tie, followed by a shootout. Fittingly, the winning goal was shot by the oldest player, Angelo Cilio (84).

Not to be outdone in the polo field, Mick, Ron Koehler, and Bob White also swan events in the 75+ bracket (Mick earned a gold in 100 Fly and bronze in 200 IM, Ron won bronze in 400 IM) ,and they were joined by Bill Stage to swim in the 200 Medley and Free relays, another first for BT,

Blue Thunder also fielded teams in 65 and 70 age groups.

So readers, if you miss the thrill of your youth, join BT, and maybe, if you are old enough, we’ll get you ready for Budapest World Aquatics in 2027. Heck, maybe you can be part of the first 80+ team. For years a few 75+ athletes competed in the 70+ division, but never has a full team been created. 

75: Mick Barry, IA; Pedro Martins, Brazil; Roberto Allisiardi, Italy

76: Fred Black, Guam; Marcos Maynard, Brazil; Edwin Purcel, Puerto Rico; Peter Furmaniak, Germany

77: Amr Elaguizy, Egypt; Bob White, WA; Gabor Zinner, Canada; Marco Vargas daCost, Brazil

78: Bill Stage, VA; Paul Botkin (unable to compete)

79: Bob Owens, CA; Bob Likins, CA; Ilkka Rauramo (unable to compete)

81: Ron Koehler, HI

83: Med Amr, CA

84: Angelo Cilio, Italy; Dan Brown (unable to compete)

  The 2025 World Aquatics Masters Championship Competition is over with Germany winning gold in 70+ division. No one on the Blue Thunder 70+ team was injured and we went home exhausted, but healthy.  

The 75+ Blue Thunder team had one player with busted ribs from a kick.  Glen Hofer, AKA Doc, a MD Radiologist, on the 70+ team, told him, after he existed the pool in pain, to skip going in for X-rays and to tough it out since there is no good treatment.  Doc said, we all have calcified ribs at our age that can break easily but ribs will heal.  Great to have expert advice sitting on the bench when you need it!  Another player on the Blue Thunder 75+ team was rushed to the hospital to have 4 stents put in his heart.  The bummer there was the doctors wanted him to stay in Singapore for a couple weeks more for observation.  We all know this type of event comes with the territory.

It was extraordinary to learn that the Blue Thunder teams, on my count, had at least 4 MDs and over 5 lawyers playing masters water polo. Not sure what that tells me except that those who choose to play this sport at this age are not stupid. Disclaimer, at least I think that’s true. I am sure, we all came away with great memories.  Camaraderie at the top of the list. As we all left Singapore, to our respective corners in the world, we said to each other, “Will see you in Budapest 2027”.  Knowing, sadly, that some of us may not be healthy enough to make it next time.  The consolation is, one day with certainty, a 80+ division will be born.

The best memory for me will be that special place called the "Call Room”.  Before the first game against Channel Islands, we went through the strict and timed process where you first enter the Dressing Room followed by the Drop Bag Room, surrender your ID tags, and then the "Call Room" last before entering the venue in front of the starting blocks.  I knew then, when I walked out, that swimming world record holders had been at that same spot only days before.  I also realized then that only the best athletes in the world ever make it to the "Call Room".  It was humbling.    

I was not disappointed with what place our team took in the tournament.  There were many other life experiences that were gotten that told me that traveling halfway around the world to play water polo was worth it.)

Oh, the Places You'll Go! was a children's picture book that Dr. Suess certainly didn't write about old-guy water polo players.

But look at us: We went to and played in and experienced Singapore! For many of us on the Blue Thunder 65s, it was another water polo trip that took us somewhere new, somewhere exotic, and helped us fulfill another life adventure with teammates.

There were four Blue Thunder teams at the World Aquatics Masters Water Polo Championships in August, us, our 70s and our two 75s. I think I speak to everyone on all four teams when I say what a tremendous trip we had. 

"It was an unforgettable experience," said Larry Atnip, our speedy, high-scoring 65s teammate. "The level of competition was intense, matched only by the incredible camaraderie among players and teams. Every game brought excitement and challenge, and the people I spent time with made the journey even more meaningful. From start to finish, I enjoyed every minute of it."

Jeff Williams, our lefty who doesn't get enough credit for all the hard work he does keeping the entire Blue Thunder club viable and a well-oiled machine (think camps, tournaments, communiques and more). "In the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, the confluence of different parties forming the Blue Thunder 65+ Masters team showed heart and strength throughout the competition," Jeff recalled. "Facing teams with deeper benches, this scrappy squad of 10 teammates put tougher impressive games." Yeah, we did. 

When it was all said and done, we finished 2-4. We beat our friends from Calgary and had a strong win over Pampas of Argentina. All the while, when he could make it, Mick Barry from our 75s joined us on deck and coached us.

"Flying across the Pacific to play water polo is a thrill that keeps guys our age working hard," Jeff said. "While it is tough to lose a game, playing hard with teammates giving their all builds camaraderie that transcends the pool and event."

What's more, things didn't turn out how you might have expected in a division with seven teams.

The Germans from SV Cannstatt ended up being a surprise winner. Rio Masters from Brazil was second and Santa Barbara, the USA Water Polo champions in our age group, finished third. The Perth Cockatoos from Australia took fourth, just ahead of us.

"What I loved most about my trip to Singapore for Worlds was our team and how each of us played a unique role, like pieces of a bigger puzzle," Larry said. That's a good point, since our squad was a work in progress, first at USA Water Polo Masters in June and then as the summer progressed. For example, Don Mahaffey joined the roster in July. "I appreciate everyone welcoming into the fold so late in the game," Don said. "I enjoyed the tournament very much and look forward to another crack at the teams that beat us."

As Jeff Velasco said in a note to the group on WhatsApp (and thank goodness for WhatsApp), "Thanks all! Great experience playing together and competing well. Given the fact that we all haven’t been playing together for very long ... Wow, with a little tweaking of team chemistry, we could’ve been contenders for a medal. Awesome effort."

We were there for 10 days, so if you count two practice sessions and six matches, we were probably only in the pool for about 10 hours total. It was all the other stuff that made the trip special. 

"The country of Singapore itself felt like Disneyland for adults: Beautiful, clean, and efficient," Larry said. "The people were incredibly helpful and welcoming, which made the trip even more enjoyable. Beyond the excitement of the World Water Polo competition, exploring Singapore was a fun and amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone looking for a truly memorable destination."

For that matter, Larry and John Hildebrand, our in-pool leader, left Singapore for a trip to Thailand. The photos and videos they sent were something else.

In addition to those mentioned -- Larry, Jeff Williams, Don, John and Jeff Velasco -- the roster also included Oriel Dominguez, Georges Mensink, Greg Fults and Bill Hoenig. We came from all over, literally. There are the California guys, of course, but Don lives in Houston, Jeff V. and Bill live in Tucson, I am north of Boston, John lives in Colorado, Greg in Hawai'i and Georges near Montreal.

We came out of it relatively unscathed, although after a tough week some of us were pretty banged up. A couple of teammates needed post-tourney massages, I had to go to the "groin-a-cologist," and Georges, well, Georges played sick the last couple of games and, when he got back to Montreal, went into the hospital for eight days with double pneumonia and the flu! Luckily, he's well on the road to recovery.

If you're a master's water polo player, you should make every effort to play in a world championship. I've been fortunate now to have played in Montreal, Canada; Budapest, Hungary; Gwangju, South Korea; Kumamoto, Japan; and Doha, Qatar. Each time they treat us so well. As a quick aside, World Aquatics conducts its World Championships and when that event is done, soon after the Masters moves in and the older folks use the same facilities and the athletes are treated so well. Like, as Jeff noted, "Waiting in the call room to be escorted in deck, then each team member being announced prior to each game. It makes this competition unique among water polo events."

It will be that way in Budapest in 2027. Start preparing now.

The last thoughts go to Bill Hoenig: "It was honestly such a great experience!! Just being there, soaking in the country, its people, customs, and food — it was awesome. I also got to connect with some fellow water polo teammates — maybe not old friends, but companions in a passion. Some of them I’d only just met once or twice before, so it was cool to get to know them a bit better.

"And then, there’s that moment—being in the water, getting ready for a game, and Don Mahaffey next to me saying, 'Bill, it’s Tuesday in Singapore, and we get to play water polo!!' Just one of those small, awesome moments that make it all special."