Tanja Engels, a former West German national swimmer, discovered her love for the sport at just 11 years old. Despite being told to give up sports after a serious illness at 18, Tanja defied the odds, returning to swimming and competing at a high level.

Now 63, Tanja remains connected to her love of swimming, through the Masters community.

We caught up with Tanja to hear about her sporting journey, her thoughts on the Masters community, and her excitement for the upcoming World Masters Games in Taipei.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you discovered swimming?
I was born in 1960 and was a swimmer for the West German national team from 1973 to 1980. My swimming journey began at age 11 when a lifeguard saw me swimming and told my mom to get me into a club. I was the youngest in the team and loved training right from the start. Even with just two to three sessions a week, I qualified for the youth national team.

You’ve faced significant challenges in your journey. Can you tell us more?
When I was 18, I celebrated my birthday in the hospital, recovering from a very serious disease. Doctors told me to stop doing any sports forever. That moment shaped my life – I decided to study medicine at the University of Heidelberg and specialise in sports medicine.

My goal was to support athletes who, like me, were told they could no longer pursue their passion. Remarkably, just one year after my illness, I swam the same times as before.

Unfortunately, the Olympic boycott of 1980 meant I missed out on competing, and I was later told I was “too old” for the 1984 Games at age 24. That was when I decided to stop swimming competitively and took up windsurfing instead.

What inspired you to return to swimming later in life?
In the 1990s, someone introduced me to Masters sports, and I’ve been involved ever since.

I still enjoy international events because of the mix of sport and culture. Participating in these events has given me a sense of belonging and a chance to meet amazing people from around the world.

What has kept you connected to swimming over the years?
Maybe the secret to still loving my sport is that I never reached my limit, neither in training nor in my races. After stepping away from competitive swimming, I found out about Masters sports in the 1990s.

Since then, I’ve enjoyed international meetings where I reconnect with old friends and make new ones. For me, it’s not just about the competition; it’s also about discovering new cultures.

How has swimming and staying active shaped your life?
As a grandmother of six (soon to be seven in March), staying fit is essential for me.

Swimming and staying active keep me in good physical and mental shape. Now, I live in Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy, where I welcome guests to my two beautiful Airbnbs and enjoy taking some strokes in the lake.

You’re planning to compete at the World Masters Games in Taipei. What are you most looking forward to?
This will be my first time in Taiwan, and I’m looking forward to experiencing its culture. Unfortunately, I’ll have knee surgery in March, so this time it’s about participating rather than competing.

My goal is to be part of the Masters family for as long as I can – I can’t wait to meet more members of the community in Taipei!

Sign up for the 2025 World Masters Games in Taipei & New Taipei City here.