Champion by land and by water

This is possibly the most important part of an athlete’s career. This is when you need to have all the self belief in yourself and what you are doing, and with this self belief you will be able to rise from any “difficult patch”.

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I have been swimming for the past 15 years and have loved every minute of it, even during the extremely tough and difficult phases.

Frank Heslop

NANJING, CHINA. 25 August 2014. Youth Olympic Games taking place in Nanjing, China. Athletics. South Africa’s Jo-An van Dyk. Copyright picture by Wander Roberto / SASPA

Gone!

Andrew Clan

Go!

Proudly Team SA

Hahaha, it would probably be that I am very quiet and an introverted person, so often I think people take it as me being upset, in a bad mood or arrogant even, which is not the case I hope…

NANJING, CHINA. 25 August 2014. Youth Olympic Games taking place in Nanjing, China. Athletics. South Africa’s Jo-An van Dyk. Copyright picture by Wander Roberto / SASPA

Michael with dad in the beautiful Drakensberg

Smile for the Paparazzi

Durban South Africa – December Saturday 19th, GV during the 2015 KZN Premier Championships. KINGS PARK POOL COMPLEX – MASABALALA YENGWA AVE -DURBAN,Saturday 19th December till Sunday 20st December 2015.(Photo by Steve Haag)images for social media must have consent from Steve Haag

There is a huge sense of pride when you get to represent the people of South Africa, especially when you see the flag on your swimming cap before you go out to race.

Perfection

My biggest challenge is to make it to the big Olympics one day…and because of that I’m training and giving my all to achieve that.

Michael is very fond of Achmat and they are now GoPro buddies.

Grecia – Olimpia – 21/04/2016 – REVEZAMENTO DA TOCHA OLIMPICA RIO 2016 – Cerimônia de acendimento da Chama Olímpica Rio 2016 e início do revezamento grego no sítio arqueológico do Templo de Hera. Na foto, o segundo condutor do revezamento grego, Giovane Gávio. Foto: Rio2016/Andre Luiz Mello

GABORONE, BOTSWANA. 28 MAY 2014. African Youth Games which take place in Gaborone from 22 May until 31 May. Athletics. Copyright picture by WESSEL OOSTHUIZEN / SASPA

Jarred Crous

My highest accolade was when I went to the World Junior Champs in the USA for the long jump and Ethiopia where I competed against the Commonwealth winner, and still got a silver medal.

Football

Proudly team Gauteng

New friendships forged

Shireen Shapiro wins Bronze in the 100m backstroke final… Day 6 of the London 2012 Paralympic. PHOTO HERMAN VERWEY MEDIA24

My name is Devon Myles William Brown, but most people know me as Myles. The reason for this is that it is a family tradition that the first-born son of each generation is called by their second name as well as taking the name William.

Carissa and Dune at OR Tombo 1st International Tour

Having faith in who God is, is one of the biggest things you could ever do. Always believe that you are a conqueror and with God everything is possible.

Champion swimmer.

Fun loving guy

Achmat Hasseim, a Paralympian from South African arrives at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport in London.

Matthew Meyer

MAMMA I MADE IT: Matthew Meyer swam a qualifying time to represent SA in the 1500m at the Rio Games during the SA National Aquatic Champs at the weekend Image by: Supplied

50m back podium photo

Matric Dance 2015

Right now, all my energy is focused on my training and keeping my body in the best shape possible for the World Championships in Kazan, Russia, in August. This in turn is preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Rio next year.

Underwater fun!

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 18: Jonathan Draai of Eastern Province during the match between Eastern Province vs South Western Districts at NMMU B during day 3 of the Coca-Cola Khaya Majola Week on December 18, 2015 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Richard Huggard/Gallo Images)

Supporting Team Gauteng

Best piece of advice I’ve ever been given “swim for you and for no one else”.

I try to plan my days really meticulously and stick close to that plan. It helps to put everything into perspective.

Rebecca Meder and Trisha Pollicutte with me on the podium for 50 Fly

Queen of the Swimming Pool

Getting ready for 100m back final

NTS Champs 2014

Michael Phelps & Michael

Happiness is…

Cameronvd Burgh 4 and Jarred Crous 5, both set Olympic qualifying times ine 20m breaststroke.

Getting to practice with Penny’s medals!

Michael in his 3 stripes.

Medal time!

The highest accolade that I have achieved was to represent South Africa at the Common Wealth Games and Youth Olympics last year.

As a younger champ

Proud champion.

Proudly Team Gauteng

100m back podium photo

Karin with Coach Igor Omeltchenko

100m back stroke medalist

Rachel with Coach Gerhard Zandberg

Jonathan

Steady

Shireen Shapiro wins Bronze in the 100m backstroke final… Day 6 of the London 2012 Paralympics. PHOTO HERMAN VERWEY MEDIA24

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE – 20 APRIL:Katerina Lehou, who plays the role of high priestess pass the flame to the olympic torch at the Ancient Olympia site during a rehearsal for the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the Rio 2o16 Olympic Games Olympic Games on April 2o in Olympia, Greece. The torch was lit using the rays of the sun in the ancient sanctuary where the Olympic Games were started in 776 BC, near the temple of Hera. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption***

The late Jeanne Davin with Daniela

Terug Spele toe? René Kalmer hardloop vier jaar gelede in die marathon op die Olimpiese Spele in Londen verby die Olimpiese ringe wat op die pad geverf is. Sy en Irvette van Zyl hoop om Sondag in die Londen-marathon weer vir die Spele te kwalifiseer.Foto: AP

…but my greatest personal accomplishment would definitely be breaking Ryk Neethling’s Long and Short course 400m Freestyle national records.

Take your marks

ANCIENT OLYMPIA, GREECE – 21 APRIL: Priestessperforme during the Lighting Ceremony of the Olympic Flame for the Rio Olympic Games at the Ancient Olympia site on April 21, 2016 in Olympia, Greece. Torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame from Ancient Olympia on relay through Greece for eight days before a hand-over ceremony at Panathenian Stadium in Athens. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption***

As the years progressed I have gone to places like Scotland, Spain, France, Netherlands, Dubai, Australia and China competing with the best athletes in the world.

Michael’s cousins with Chad and Michael

Rene Warnes – Proudly South African.

Rene’s dad – Ian

I love rocking my heels and modeling when no one is around to see.

What Next for Carla: “To be better than what I was the last time and to prove to those who said I wouldn’t make it that I’m strong enough to do better”.

Quiet moment of contemplation.

Two Champions – Michael with Sissy Michaela

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND. 26 July 2014. Commonwealth Games, swimming Day Three. Chad le Clos, gold medal and Sebastion Rousseau, bronze medal in the 100m fly. Copyright picture by WESSEL OOSTHUIZEN / SASPA

Karin in full flight

SA Champion Medalists.

My sister and I with Karin returning from London 2012

Ultimately I am working towards next year’s Olympic Games and hopefully my dream will become a reality.

Football

Matthew Meyer

Power Start

Podium photo 100m back

Sisterly love.

A day at the beach in SA

On top of my swimming I always like to be active, so I really enjoy my surfing and golf.

Michael’s Dad – Peter

Quiet Moment of contemplation.

The Olympic Flag flies in front of “Christ the Redeemer” statue during a blessing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro August 19, 2012. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

Karin looking all relaxed

Ready

Ready, Steady, GO!!

“…a girl that have had the opportunity to represent South Africa at the World Championships, Youth Olympics and Common Wealth Games through the guidance of my coach Igor Omeltchenko”.

Ready for take off

The moment when Crous realised he’d just beaten the qualifying time for the Rio Olympics! Photo Credit / Anesh Debiky/Swim SA

Ruan Ras: A true Youth Sports Ambassador.

Joining Karin for sponsor duty

Travelling outside SA has also made me appreciate our beautiful country as well as and everyone back at home.

Irvette van Zyl Foto: DEAAN VIVIER

I love Kansas, I love our home in Kansas, and I love the fact that I’m so blessed to have a pool in my back yard to be able to do what I love.

Matthew Meyer Olympic Trials

Read for take off!

Devon Myles William Brown, is on a roll, on an unstoppable siege as he takes the world by storm.

Travelling put me in many different environments, and that made me even want to train much harder.

I leave home at 4:50 am, go for morning training, then school, then back to training and finally return home by 6:45 pm and then homework starts.

Carissa and Chad le Clos Speedo Prestige July 2013

Medals and trophys

I have learned how to stay focused, how to communicate with people speaking different languages and manage long periods of time without my family.

Achmat Hasseim, a Paralympian from South African arrives at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport in London.

Achmat Hasseim, a Paralympian from South African arrives at Terminal 1 of Heathrow Airport in London.

Irvette van Zyl . Picture: BACKPAGEPIX

Life’s awesome and if I live in a bubble, it’s a bubble I wish a lot of people could enjoy with me!

Myles Olympic Trials

Academic

Myles Brown

He is a grade 11 student at Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town. Lucky guy, with the sea and beautiful Table Mountain to urge him on!

Zane Waddell prior to the Men 100m long course backstroke finals at the SA National Aquatic Championships 2016 in Durban. PHOTO: STEVE HAAG

About Hard Times: “Fall down 7 times get up 8!! Always do what makes you happy and if you have a passion for that sport and love it, it will make those difficult patches a lot easier to handle”.

The highest accolade that I have achieved was to represent my country at high level World Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

Carla Johnson (18) is passionate about sports and she is appealing for a good Samaritan to sponsor her so that she doesn’t miss any more competitions PHOTO: TIYESE JERANJI

Carissa and Mom Speedo Prestige July 2013 1st SA Nationals Record 50m backstroke

Swimming mates

Fun with good friendies

Douglas Erasmus in the Men 100m Freestyle Semi Finals during day 4 of the SA National Aquatic Championships 2016 at Kings Park Aquatic Centre on April 13, 2016 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)

True Leader: Head Girl 2015

Karin and I being interviewed by Speedo

Meeting Elvis Blue at his concert after first swimming an NTS Age Group Gala

Karin doing her brilliant backstroke thing

Heslop Sports

René Kalmer Foto: GETTY IMAGES

Calvyn Justus

Ruan Tweeted: “Tuks Olympian and role model to many @PrinslooKarin crowded by excited young swimmers for her autograph #inspiration”.

December 2009

Which athlete/ athletes inspire you? The Awesome Foursome – Ryk Neethling, Roland Schoeman, Darian Townsend, Lyndon Ferns – who won gold in the 4x100m Freestyle Relay at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games. These guys proved to me at a young age that South African swimmers could go and compete with the best in the world and come out victorious!

Podium photo 4 x 100m Medley relay

Michael in full flight

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”.

Awards received at the 2015 NTS Gala Evening