Next up in the Fresh & Hungry series is Carmen Le Roux, sister to Clarice Le Roux, the SA Swimming history making duo, who are determinedly making their way all the way to the top in SA Open Water Swimming. Carmen comes from a rich history of swimming excellence. It all started with their older sissy, Simone Le Roux who encouraged the little sisters with her stunning record breaking performances in the pool at the SACSSA galas. Carmen watched and learned from her sisters and proved to be a scintillating swimmer of note in her own right, even making the Senior National Swim Team at the age of 12!
Carmen has proudly been part Team SA at big international meets and is just recently back from Kazan and Singapore. To this day Carmen proudly holds 27 records against her name throughout all the age groups in SACSSA (Southern African Christian Schools Sports Association).
Carmen, a grade 12 home school student is a dedicated, hard working athlete relentless to excel in all that she does. This girl is grounded and finds her strength in Christ. She is coached by one of SA’s Top Olympic coaches – Coach Alisdair Hatfield.
Athlete: Bio / Stats |
|
| Name & Surname | Carmen Le Roux |
| Date of birth | 11-02-1998 |
| Place of birth | Vereeniging |
| Current City | Durban |
| Height | 1.58cm |
| Weight | 54 |
| Shoe Size | 5 |
| Club | Action Swim Academy |
| Coach’s Name | Alisdair Hatfield |
| Out of Country events/ meets | Junior Open Water World Champs in Hungary 20142014 AUSC Region V under 20 youth games, ZimbabweOpen Water World Champs in Kazan Russia 2015Junior World Champs Swimming Pool in Singapore 2015 |
| Favorite City | Durban |
| Favorite Song/ type of music | Rachel Platten Fight Song |
| Favorite Movie | The fault in our stars |
| School & Grade | Grade 12 |
| Sponsors | Speedo and Peptosport |
| Twitter and Instagram names, facebook name | Twitter:@CarmenLEROUX Instagram: carmenleroux Facebook: Carmen Le Roux |
| Parents Names | Ansie and Nico Le Roux |
INTERVIEW:
Q: You are passionate and doing so well in your Swimming, tell me a little bit about how you started in Swimming and your journey in the Swimming arena up to now?
Started to learn swim when I was 2 years old. I started swimming competitively when I was 6 years old, and that’s when I started to love swimming. When I was 12 years old I made the Senior National Team and I think that’s what really gave me a boost and just motivated me to train harder and harder. My love for open water swimming started after I did my first mid-air mile. I got my Protea colours when I was 16 years old when I went to Hungary for Junior open water Champs where I came 8th overall. My greatest achievement so far is making the SA team for World Champs in Kazan Russia this year; the experience is what counts the most and you can learn so much from the best in the world.
Q: What are your highlights of these travels, and what does travelling do for your mindset/ perspective on things?
All the international competitions I have been too I have learnt so much already and it has been such great experiences and it also a great way to measure against the best in the world. You also learn about other countries and their cultures, which makes it quite interesting to travel.
Q: Do you have any specific regimens or rituals in Swimming?
I don’t do anything specific before racing. I think the main thing is to try and keep yourself calm and focused. I eat a lot of protein, fruits, vegetables, but not a lot of carbs. I also try not to eat any sugar and rather replace it with sweeteners.
Q: How do you manage to fit in both sports and academics / work into your schedule?
I started doing homeschooling in grade 9 and I think it has been such a great help in my swimming career, although it is still hard getting all the work done.
Q: Beside your swimming what do you have a passion for?
Children, animals and helping others.
Q: Tell me one thing about yourself that the world does not know?
I’m a little bit of a perfectionist and like doing things the right way.
Q: Would you like to share a little bit more about your faith journey and how it has affected your life / sports?
I was fortunate enough to have been raised in a Christian home. Later in my life I committed myself to the Lord and that’s where all my strength comes from. I would have not been able to come this far in my life and my swimming career if it wasn’t for the Grace and the provision of God in my life.
What do you do to relax?
Spend time with my family, go and watch a movie, shopping, or just listening to music.
Q: Which athlete/ athletes inspire you?
Kerri-anne Payne, Penny Heyns and Natalie Du Toit
Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?
“ If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you!”
Q: What is your favourite Bible / Scripture quote?
Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
No Pain No Gain. Always strive to be better and never quit.
Q: What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
My biggest challenge is to keep healthy and train every day. So to manage that a healthy diet is of utmost importance.
Q: When you’ve had a tough or bad day, what lifts you up again?
I find that training refreshes my whole body and mind.
Q: I’m sure you have many things going on right now, what’s to be expected next from you?
I’m busy preparing for Junior World Champs in Singapore in two weeks, and trying to recover from the 15km’s of racing in Russia last month so that I can give it my best in Singapore.
Thank you so much for taking this interview. We would like to wish you all the best for your sports and academic journey ahead. We look forward to following you as you go from strength to strength. Blessings!
