What a delight it was to meet this young champion Chris Luus via a Heslop Sports Rio Olympics competiton that he won! Since then he agreed to this stunning interview, and once again I stand surprised and amazed at the insight, dept and wisdom that he shows – this young leader and swimmer. Plus what puts him even higher in my rankings, is that he loves books and reading :-). He is grounded in his belief that God has a great purpose for his life.
Congratulations are in order for Chris on his qualification to compete at the 2017 Junior National Championships in Durban – well done, despite your year of medical challenges, you rose victoriously.
When asked the question – who are you he responded – “ I am a swimmer, through and through, my hair is chlorified, my skin is as dry as the desert and I have no social life (only joking, sort of). I`m a lane leader, and I love being an inspiration to younger swimmers”.
Athlete: Bio / Stats |
|
| Name & Surname | Chris Luus |
| Nick Name | Vissie |
| Date of birth | 22 April 2001 |
| Place of birth | Pretoria,South Africa |
| Current City | Pretoria,South Africa |
| Height | 1.78m/5ft 8 |
| Weight | 59kg |
| Shoe Size | 12 |
| Club | Royal Fins Aquatics |
| Coach’s Name | Ancheri Luus and Byron Doyle |
| Out of Country events/ meets | Not yet |
| Secondary Sport/ sports | Had to focus on swimming this year |
| Favorite City | Miami,Florida |
| Favorite Song/ type of music | Heavy Metal-Metallica, Enter Sandman |
| Favorite Movie | Pirates of the Caribbean |
| School & Grade | Hoërskool Garsfontein, Grade 9 |
| Sponsors | My mom |
| Twitter and Instagram names, facebook name | Chris Luus |
| Parents Name | Ancheri Luus |
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?
I started swimming when I was 2 years old, my whole family was swimmers and I grew up with a passion for swimming.
Q: What is the highest accolade that you have achieved in Swimming and what is your greatest personal accomplishment?
So far my greatest achievement in my swimming career personally, is when I won a silver medal at SA Level 2 Champs in my 50m butterfly with a time of 29.21, and I’ve improved it tremendously since then.
Q: What was your last major champs/ meet and how did you experience it? Lesson learned?
It attended the Waterborn invitational gala and training camp. The amount of swimming knowledge I’ve obtained over the course of that week is unbelievable, and that’s also thanks to the coaches.
Q: Why do you have so much love and respect for your coaches?
That is the way I was raised and they were also swimmers just like us, so they know what they’re doing and we have to respect them for that.
Q: In your opinion, what is the value of Education in a young person’s life?
I believe that knowledge is power, the more you learn the further you get in life. You will never be too old to learn.
Q: Would you like to share a little bit more about your faith journey and how it has affected your life / sports?
I wouldn’t be where I am now without God in my life, all the rough journeys I’ve been through and hard training is thanks to Him, through him I have learned perseverance and patience
Q: What do you do to relax?
I mostly play games or binge watch netflix and I read a ton of books.
Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?
It’s what you do in the dark, that puts you in the light.
Q: What is your favourite Bible / Scripture?
Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Q: What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Having just gone through a jaw operation where I lost 6kg in muscle mass. Having to get it back has been proven to be quite difficult, but I’ll eventually get back to where I was.
Q: What’s your WHY ? Why do you do what you do?
Swimming is my life, I can’t think of myself doing anything else then swimming when I’m older, I want to inspire them to be a better swimmer and person. They need to be the best they can be.
Q: What is your message of encouragement to South African and African youth and our nation?
All the hard work you’re putting in now,will pay off, don’t give up and just keep on swimming!
Q: Anything else you would like to share?
I also have a youtube channel with my teammates called Swimmers Unite – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU1k5QtzvaoDjUSRIb2DoOQ
Thank you so much for taking this interview. We would like to wish you all the best for your journey ahead. We look forward to following you as you go from strength to strength. Blessings!
