Today meet one of SA’s top youth champions Luan Grobbelaar. It is good to see our youth not only excelling in sport but also conveying hope and encouragement, and trying to be change makers in our nation.
Congratulations to Luan on his consistent good perfermances. SA National Age Group Level 3 Champs (18-22 March 2016) in PE: Gold in 400m freestyle, Gold 400m IM, Gold 200m IM, Gold 200m backstroke, Gold 100m backstroke, Gold 200m breaststroke, Silver 100m breaststroke, Silver 50m breaststroke, 3rd 200m freestyle and 3rd 50m backstroke. He has had a few appearances as part of Team SA recently, a biggie being at Gold Coast 2018. Well done Luan!
He says “I’m a happy, friendly person, that wants to make the best of what life has to offer”.
Athlete: Bio / Stats |
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| Name & Surname | Luan Evert Grobbelaar |
| Nick Name | Lulu |
| Date of birth | 16 March 2002 |
| Place of birth | CAPE TOWN |
| Current City | Palmerston North , New Zealand |
| Height | 1.77m |
| Weight | 68kg |
| Shoe Size | 11/12 |
| Club | Kiwi West Aquatics |
| Coach’s Name | Andrew Nicholls |
| Out of Country events/ meets | I competed in Germany in 2012, Zambia in 2013 (Representing RSA), Britain in 2014, Egypt and Angola in 2015 (Representing RSA) and Dubai in 2016 And 2017 , Second Cana Zone In Egypt ,Commonwealth Youth Games And Junior World Championship In 2017 ,Senior Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast. |
| Secondary Sport/ sports | None, I just swim. |
| Favorite City | DUBAI or Doha |
| Favorite Song/ type of music | Current Favorite Song Is Cola By CamelPhat & Elderbrook , But Mostly Pop And Deephouse |
| Favorite Movie | The Gambler |
| School & Grade | Home Schooling – Grade 11 |
| Sponsors | Mertopolitian – MMI Group |
| Twitter and Instagram, Facebook | Luan Grobbelaar |
INTERVIEW:
Q: Who are you?
I Am Luan Evert Grobbelaar ,Birthday Is On The 16th of March.
Q: At what age did you start swimming and why?
I Started At The Age Of Six ,Through Incident… Me And My Best Friend Was Riding Bikes Around The Swimming Pool ,I Was Speeding ,Lost Control Of The Bike And The Bike And I Fell Into The Pool… My Parents Just Thought It Would Be A Good Idea To BE Water Safe From That Day.
Q: Would you like to share some highlights about your own sports events so far?
There are a few:
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There are a few:
- Winning 14 gold medals in 14 events at level 3 In 2015 (as 12 year old). The 400 IM was especially satisfying as it was a 12 – 14 years event.
- Competing at the British Age group Championships in August 2014, where I won 4 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals. I also won the Victor Ludorum for the 12 year age group.
- Winning 2 silver medals in the 400 IM, both in new RSA records for the 13 years age group, at the resent Swim SA Grand Prix Series in Nelspruit and Stellenbosch.
- Representing South Affrica at the commonwealth games at the Gold Coast in 2018.
Q: You competed at an International event – Junior Africa Swimming Champs – Egypt, proudly part of Team SA – Congrats! How did you experience that?
I was very proud to represent my country again. Cairo is a fascinating place and we were very well received by the host country. The people there are very friendly. I loved the historical sites that we were privileged to go and see – the pyramids, the sphinx, the Cairo museum.
The swimming facilities in Cairo were very good and the Championships were very well organized. Egypt is investing a lot of money into swimming as a sport.
I learn a lot about myself each time I race and how to adapt to different conditions in other countries.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your home and school life?
I Currently Stay in Palmerston North With My Family And My Two Dogs – Lilly And Sadie. I Started Home Schooling Because I It Easier For Me To Manage Myself When I Go Away For Swimming Or Anything And Don’t Have To Worry About Catching Up Work.
Q: Why is it also important to try and excel at academics at school?
You need to look at your future as well. I would want to go to University, and the better your mark in school, the wider choice you have as to what and where you would like to study.
Q: What is your favorite food? And who must cook it J?
My Mom’s Delicious Mac ‘n Cheese.
Q: Who is your sports hero in the sports that you are involved in?
Michael Phelps ,He Is A Wonderful Example Of What Can BE Achieve If You Put Your Mind To Something. He Is Just Amazing With Everything HE Achieved And He Is such An Inspirations To Me.
Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?
Find The Courage To Be Yourself.
Q: What is your favourite Bible Verse?
Psalm 23: DIE HERE IS MY HERDER.
Q: At this point and time – what are you most grateful for in your life?
For the opportunities that I have to live my dream and to use my talents as the Lord intended me to.
Q: For now and for the future, how do you think that you can be a change-maker in our country through what you do in sports and the way you live your life?
I just think that you must always set a good example in whatever you do. And then to always do the right thing in any circumstances.
Q: What is your message of encouragement to South African youth and the nation?
Do What You Love. There Is No Point Of Doing Something If you Don’t Love It, And You Must Always Have A Dream To Work Towards.
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!
NB – All images were supplied by the athlete to Heslop Sports. If there are any images that are not credited correctly, please email info@heslopsports.co.za with the details and we will gladly do so immediately.
