Daily Archives: August 4, 2017

Felicity Passon, is real girl power and determination in action. She hails proudly from the beautiful Nation Seychelles. Her early life is shaped by sacrifice, the hard sacrificing of leaving home and kindred to go out into world in pursuit of her dream of becoming a great swimmer. Yet despite all the odds against her, she continues to do our African Continent proud by her sterling performances and results in the swimming pool. She is also proudly a Youth Olympian and has just recently competed at the Fina World Champs in Budapest.

She says “I think that I’m quite a determined and motivated person. I work hard in the things I’m passionate about, and if I really want something I go out and get it. In May 2016, just after competing at SA nationals I underwent a minor heart surgery (an ablation) to sort out a problem I had been dealing with for a while- Supra Ventricular tachycardia. I was out of training for a while before the procedure and after it as well. I think that was the point in which I was my most determined. I hated seeing everyone being able to swim and train and not me. I thought I was getting left behind, and I would have too much catching up to do when I got back in- if I got back in. But it all made me stronger, I was determined not to let anything stop me from achieving my goals”.

 

Athlete: Bio / Stats
Name & Surname	Felicity Passon
Date of birth	11th July 1999
Place of birth	Dubai, U.A.E
Current City	Plymouth, U.k
Height	173cm
Weight	65 kg
Shoe Size	UK 6  (EU 40)
Club	Plymouth Leander
Coach’s Name	Robin Armayan
Out of Country events	Upcoming: World Championships in Budapest 2017 (also 2013-2016) SA Nationals: 2014, 2016, 2017
Secondary Sport	Swimming, Running
Favorite City	Barcelona
Favorite Movie	South Paw
School & Grade	Plymouth College- Just finished my final year (A-Levels) Starting Uni in August 2017
Instagram names Facebook name	Insta: felicity_passon Facebook: Felicity Passon
Parents Names, siblings	Mum: Lydvine Passon, Dad: Neil Puresh, Sister: Charlotte Passon

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 began training and swimming competitively when I was about 12 or 13. Competing at small local competitions, then internationally. (see question 4 and 2)

Q: Who are you?

I think that I’m quite a determined and motivated person. I work hard in the things I’m passionate about, and if I really want something I go out and get it. In May 2016, just after competing at SA nationals I underwent a minor heart surgery (an ablation) to sort out a problem I had been dealing with for a while- Supra Ventricular tachycardia. I was out of training for a while before the procedure and after it as well. I think that was the point in which I was my most determined. I hated seeing everyone being able to swim and train and not me. I thought I was getting left behind, and I would have too much catching up to do when I got back in- if I got back in. But it all made me stronger, I was determined not to let anything stop me from achieving my goals.

Q: What is the highest accolade that you have achieved in Swimming and what is your greatest personal accomplishment?

Achieving a world championship qualifying time in the 50m back, and qualifying for Youth Olympics in 2014.

Q: You are studying away from home – how are you experiencing this?

I left home at a young age to pursue my swimming career. I trained in South Africa for 4 months, without being at school in 2014, by myself. It was tough but it made me realize that once my 4 months was up and I had to return to home, even if I missed it so much I knew that if I wanted to go further with my swimming I would have to leave home. I then began school in Thailand at the British International School Phuket on a full scholarship. They had a great swimming program. After a year of that I moved to the UK to Plymouth, and began my 2 year journey which is now sadly coming to an end.

Q: In your opinion, what is the value of Education in a young person’s life?

I think that education is extremely important. You have it for the rest of your life and it opens up more opportunity for you in the world.

Q: So you swim well and are doing well in academics but name 1 thing that you suck at 🙂

Hmmm one thing I suck at… Video Games- No co-ordination what-so-ever. My breaststroke is the worst thing ever- it’s basically illegal.

Q: What’s your WHY ? 

Coming from a small island with limited resources, I feel like I have so much to fight for to prove myself to everyone and the world that I can be just as good as a lot of people. Starting from the bottom, where I used to get absolutely thrashed when I competed internationally, I used to be so intimidated, to now being better or on the same level as those same girls.

I hope that I can have a positive influence on younger athletes- it doesn’t matter where you come from, it’s what you make of yourself, you just have to fight for yourself and what you believe.

Q: Plans for 2018?

I’m starting university in America this summer in Texas- SMU. I’m really looking forward to the American college and swimming experience. I also plan on competing at Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast.

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!