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Australia’s best young swimmers get first dibs at world class technology in Canberra

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Future swimming stars have descended on the capital as Swimming Australia looks to discover the next Ian Thorpe or Libby Trickett ahead of the world junior championships in August.

Twenty-two athletes have travelled from all over the country to spend the week learning from Olympic athletes experiencing the best sports technology the AIS has to offer as part of the NextGEN Australian Commonwealth Games camp.

Members of the Swimming Australia NextGEN Squad pose for a group photo with former Olympian Matt Abood during their camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra, Australia on Thursday 6 July 2017. NextGEN Australian Commonwealth Games camp members with Matt Abood. Photo: Ben Southall

Olympic bronze medallist Matt Abood will be on hand to mentor the group as they are exposed the rising stars to the most innovative technology at the AIS, including 3D motion capture technology and underwater cameras.

Even the national swimming team hasn’t used some of the technology before but Swimming Australia’s high performance pathway manager Jamie Salter isn’t heaping pressure on the next generation.

“We don’t put any expectation on medal targets,” Salter said.

 ​”We are able to take video footage from numerous angles and get instantaneous analysis.

“We are also looking at 3D motion capture whilst we do get all the video footage it just provides us with deeper analysis of whats going on in the stroke.”

Ranging from 13 to 18 years old, the aspiring athletes were selected to be part of the week-long trip following their performances at the Australian age championships in April.

The pathway system has enjoyed plenty of success over the past four years, with over 80 medals won from youth teams – over 40 percent of those being gold – at major events.

The success didn’t stop at a youth level however, with 30 swimmers from the squad moving on to represent Australia in major international teams including Rio gold medallist Kyle Chalmers.

The young group hasn’t been exposed to the high tech world of modern sports before and Salter says the experience will enable them to become better in the pool.

“They haven’t been exposed to too much of this sports phsycology and nutrition before,” Salter said.

“It’s just giving them an awareness on how phycology and additional support can help them and how they can build on it.”

Despite having world class technology at their disposal, the program isn’t aiming to improve times – it aims to build the devolving athlete’s resilience.

“It’s not that they are swimming fast, it’s the manner that they are swimming,” Salter said.

“It’s the resilience that they show and their ability to put in a performance when it counts.”

With the world at their feet and Australia’s best resources in front of them, Australian swimming is at an exciting cross roads.

With the young group still bonding a growing as a team, it is still a long road until Tokyo 2020 but the future looks bright for Australian swimming.

“That’s the bit that excites me the most, it’s the passion that they bring to the pool every day even though we are still eight weeks away from the junior world championship,” Salter said.

“For me its a very very exciting journey we are starting on.”

by CanberraTimes

Home Proudly South African Sports

Team SA to Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games

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The  South  African  Sports  Confederation  and  Olympic  Committee  (SASCOC)  have  named  the   team  to  compete  at  the  2017  Commonwealth  Youth  Games  in  Nassau,  Bahamas  from  19-­‐23   July.
The  team  will  have  representation  in  six  of  the  nine  sporting  codes  being  showcased  on  the   Caribbean  island.

The  six  codes  are:  Athletics,  Beach  Volleyball,  Boxing,  Judo,  Swimming  and  Tennis  with  the   biggest  codes  in  terms  of  numbers  being  Athletics  and  Swimming  both  with  a  squad  of  8   representatives  each.
The  Commonwealth  Youth  Games  are  held  every  four  years  and  Team  SA  placed  second  on   the  medal  table  in  the  previous  games  in  Apia,  Samoa  in  2015  with  a  total  of  35  medals.
Ms  Patience  Shikwambana  will  lead  the  team  as  Chef  de  Mission.  “It’s  a  great  honour  to   lead  South  Africa’s  youth  to  the  2017  Commonwealth  Youth  Games  in  Bahamas.
‘The  delegation  leaves  the  shores  of  South  Africa  during  a  month  where  all  South  Africans   and  the  world  celebrate  Nelson  Mandela’s  life  and  legacy.  Mandela  Day  asks  us  all  to  ‘Take   Action,  Inspire  Change  and  make  every  Day  a  Mandela  Day’,  so  to  Team  South  Africa,  go  and   have  fun,  play  fair  and  inspire  more  youth  to  take  action  and  get  involved  in  sport  to  change   their  lives  and  become  better  persons  in  future  through  sport.’

SASCOC  CEO,  Mr  Tubby  Reddy  added:  “Though  we  are  sending  a  lean  team  we  believe  it  is  a   strong  team  who  have  all  met  the  competitive  selection  criteria  and  will  do  the  nation   proud.  Previously  Team  SA  has  performed  exceptionally  at  these  games  and  we  therefore   hope  that  the  same  or  even  better  results  will  be  achieved.“
“The  Commonwealth  Youth  Games,  remain  an  integral  event  for  us  as  future  stars  and   Olympians  rise  from  events  of  such  a  nature,’  added  Mr  Reddy.
The  holding  camp  for  Team  SA  will  take  place  in  Johannesburg  on  15  July  and  the  team  will   travel  to  Bahamas  the  next  day  to  compete  against  the  other  Commonwealth  countries.

The  full  team  is  as  follows:

AQUATICS
Boys:  Michael  Houlie,  Jarryd  Baxter,  Jack  Oliver,  Luan  Grobbelaar
Girls:  Rebecca  Meder,  Hanim  Abrahams,  Dune  Coetzee,  Mariella  Venter,
Manager/Coach:  Bianca  Marais
ATHLETICS
Boys:  Luke  Davids,  Jayson  Weber,  Lindukuhle  Gora,  Adam  Mayo
Girls:  Caroline  Mosime,  Marli  Viljoen,  Keletso  Senosi,  Antoinette  Van  der  Merwe,
Manager  Coach:  Alroy  Dixon
BEACH  VOLLEYBALL
Lukholo  Jooste  and  Aviwe  Mamfanya
Manager/Coach  –  Warren  Sieberts
BOXING
Girls:  Amorie  Gonsalves
Boys:  Sinovuyo  Mtintelwa
Manager/  Coach:  Khangelani  Jack
JUDO
Girls:  Marli  Meiring
Boys:  Mosa  Thetsane
Manager  /  Coach:  Preston  Davids
TENNIS
Boys:  Siphosothando  Montsi
Girls:  Minette  Van  Vreden
Manager  /  Coach:  Charles  Mehlape

GENERAL  TEAM  MANAGEMENT  (GTM)  
Chef  de  Mission:  Patience  Shikwambana,  Athletes  Services:  Jabu  Mabaso,  Logistics:  Adrian   Padayachee
MEDICAL  TEAM:  Dr  Tshegofatso  Gaetsewe      Physiotherapists:  Avilarsh  Lukhan  and  Ashleigh   Hansen

Issued  by  SASCOC

Golf Home Proudly South African Sports

South African Cara Gorlei Earns Academic Honors

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FAYETTEVILLE — University of Arkansas rising juniors Kaylee Benton and Cara Gorlei earned selection to the Women’s Collegiate Golf All-American Scholars team the organization announced today (6 July 2017).

Nominees must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher for their academic career. Benton and Gorlei are the 11th and 12th student-athletes honored for the Razorbacks and represent the 24th and 25th selections for Arkansas since 1997.

“I could not be more proud of Cara and Kaylee for becoming WGCA All-American Scholars and for their commitment to excellence on the golf course and in the classroom,” said Arkansas head coach Shauna Estes-Taylor. “These young women go above and beyond what they are required to do each and every day and this is a great reward for their hard work. They both have made tremendous contributions to our golf program and they are great examples of winning in all facets of collegiate athletics.”

Gorlei joined the Razorbacks as a freshman for the 2014-15 season and her continued improvement earned the Capetown, South Africa native, a trip to the NCAA Championship as an individual in 2017. Gorlei finished tied for seventh at the NCAA Columbus Regional punching her ticket for the finals.

She finished the year shooting 74.06 with 31 college rounds played as a junior.

Benton transferred to Arkansas from UNLV and immediately contributed to the Razorback program. Originally from the Natural State, Benton played in every event in her first season at Arkansas picking up three top-10 finishes. She and Gorlei have earned selection to the Arkansas Athletics Department academic honor roll in every semester.

Other Razorbacks who have been selected to the WCGA All-Scholar team include MacKenzie Cato (1997), Jennifer Norlien (2004), Gena Johnson (2005), Stacy Lewis (205, 2006, 2007, 2008), Tiffany Phelps (2010), Corinna Rees (2007, 2010, 2011), Victoria Vela (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013), Emily Tubert (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014), Emily Podzielinski (2012), and Gabriela Lopez (2013, 2014, 2015).

 

 

Harrison Daily.com

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Fresh & Hungry: Khwezi Duma

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Khwezi Duma is a one of SA’s youth stars in swimming. She speaks with much humility and gratefulness for her journey in swimming so far. She is thankful and respectful towards her parents and coaches who support her constantly.  She has had the honour to represented our beautiful rainbow Nation at many occasions.

She says “I am hard working and self-driven to finish the tasks ahead of me and to achieve my goals. I am a child of God and I always try to live my life accordingly. I live with my mom, dad, my 13 year old sister and my 21 year old sister in Kloof, Durban”.

Her favourite quote is deeply motivational “Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is the strength. – Arnold Schwarzenegger

 

Name & Surname Khwezi Duma
Nick Name Khwe-Khwe / Khwez / Khwezi Khwez
Date of birth 12 September 2001
Place of birth Parklane Clinic Johannesburg
Current City Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Height 173 cm
Weight 53 Kgs
Shoe Size UK 7
Club Seagulls Swimming Club
Coach’s Name Graham Hill
Out of Country events/ meets I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to compete in these numerous tournament outside South Africa.

2012        CANA Zone 3&4 held in Maputo, Mozambique

2014     Australian Age Group Nationals, Sydney, Australia

2014        AUSC Region 5 Under 20 Games held in Bulawayo,      Zimbabwe

2015        Treviso Swim Cup, Venice, Italy

2015       Pescara Swimming Championships, Pescara, Rome

2015       African Junior Championship, Cairo, Egypt

2016        Treviso Swim Cup, Venice, Italy

2016       AUSC Region 5 Under 20 Games, Luanda, Angola

2017        African Junior Championship held in Cairo, Egypt

2017      Mare Nostrum Series – Monaco & Barcelona leg ( XXXVe Meeting International de Natation)
Secondary Sport/ sports I enjoy running and playing tennis.
Favorite City California
Favorite Song I enjoy listening to Beyoncé and Drake.
School & Grade Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School, Grade 10
Sponsors Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation
Instagram

Facebook

 Instagram: khwezzzduma

Facebook: Khwezi Duma
 
Parents Names, siblings Mother – Yoliswa Duma

Father – Justice Duma

Older sister – Nothando Duma

Younger sister – Kuhle Duma

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 really enjoy every second I spend in the water swimming, I honestly don’t know what I would do with myself if I didn’t take part in the sport. I enjoy every moment. I love the training, especially when it’s hard because it allows me to push my boundaries by getting out of my comfort zone and I really get surprised when I produce personal best times in training. I love traveling and the amount of opportunities it gives to meet new people, go to new countries and experience new cultures, and how can I forget about the racing? It’s my absolute favorite moment in my career because all the hours, blood, sweat and tears all come down to a couple of races that only last a few seconds. I started swimming in 2009 when I was 7 years old Hartfield Swimming Club, in Kloof, KZN just to gain the necessary water safety skills. In 2011, at the age of 9, I started swimming more frequently after I joined the Seagulls Swimming Club and started training with Delon Dannhauser and Graham Hill and ever since then I’ve been addicted to the water. I honestly love being trained at Seagulls by Delon and Graham because they always push and guide me towards my swimming successes. I also love spending time with my training partners because we lift each other up and bring out the best in each other.

Q: You have been proudly part of Team SA before representing our beautiful nation, where did you go what did that feel like?

I’ve been very blessed to have the opportunity to represent our rainbow nation in numerous events out of South Africa. In 2012 I had the privilege of being selected by Swimming South Africa to represent our Country in Maputo, Mozambique for the CANA Zone 3 and 4 Swimming Championships. Although, I was 10 years old and the youngest in this tournament, I loved racing and meeting new people.  My highlights of this championship was winning a Silver Medal in the 200m Backstroke, a Bronze Medal in the 100m backstroke, 4th place in the 50m Backstroke and in the 200m IM and placed 5th in the 100m Butterfly. I enjoyed this tour even through it was a bit scary for me as a natural introvert, I tend to be more reserved.

I then represented South Africa for the second time in 2014 at the AUSC Region 5 under 20 Games in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe where I got the opportunity to witness so many S.A. Age Group records being broken and I also got to watch South African seniors race at an elite level. I competed in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke and 200m Backstroke as well as the 50m Butterfly and 100m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle and 100m Freestyle. This was such an honor as it was my first time wearing the Green and Gold National Tracksuit,

In 2015, I represented South Africa in the Junior African Championships held in Cairo, Egypt. I met many new people and made new friends which whom I share the memories from this tour with. I competed in the 50m Backstroke, 100m backstroke as well as the 50m butterfly and the 100m butterfly. I placed third in the 100m butterfly and won a bronze medal and I also came second in the 100m backstroke and won a silver medal.

I was selected again in 2016 to be part of the team competing in the AUSC (African Union Sports Council) Region 5 Under 20 Youth Games in Angola. I competed in the 50m Backstroke, 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly and 100m Butterfly. I was very proud of myself when I made it to the finals of the 100m backstroke and swam personal bests in all my other events as well.

In March 2017 I was selected to be part of a team to compete in the African Junior Championship held in Cairo, Egypt. I competed in the 50m Backstroke and 100m Backstroke and won a Bronze medal for the 50m Backstroke.

Q: Who are you? 

I’m a 15 year old Grade 10 student at Our Lady of Fatima Dominican Convent School, a swimmer at Seagulls Swimming Club under the leadership of Graham Hill and Delon Dannhauser. I am hard working and self-driven to finish the tasks ahead of me and to achieve my goals. I am a child of God and I always try to live my life accordingly. I live with my mom, dad, my 13 year old sister and my 21 year old sister in Kloof, Durban.

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

My highest accolade was competing in the Mare Nostrum Series and swimming in the B finals in the Monaco leg and improving my personal best times in the Barcelona leg. I swam the 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke as well as the 50m Backstroke in the B finals of the Monaco leg.

Khwezi with Bronte Campbel in Monaco

Q: Why do you have so much love and respect for your coachs?

I have so much respect for my swimming and conditioning coaches because they are inspiring and always motivating me and for the time that I have worked with them they have taught me a lot in and out of the pool.

Q: What is your favorite food? And who must cook it 🙂 ?

Prawn stir-fry with spinach and mushrooms. Cooked by my mom.

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

I’m really bad at table tennis because I’ve got quite bad hand – eye coordination and I can’t get the ball quick enough.

Q: What is your personal favorite motivational quote?

Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is the strength. – Arnold Schwarzenegger

Q: What is your favourite Bible?

1 Corinthians 16:13 – Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Psalm 23:1 –The lord is my Shepard, I lack nothing.

Q: What is your definition of success in life?

Success is being able to do what you love and reach your goals while enjoying the process.

Q: What’s your WHY?  

I swim because the water is my happy place and when I’m swimming I just forget about all that stresses me as I am in my element. I see myself having a major influence on the continents youth by guiding other young people and I hope to be somebody’s role model or mentor in the near future.

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to take this interview and I one day hope to inspire other young athletes.

 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!

Home Interviews Sports Swimming

Fresh & Hungry: Michael Houlie

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His energy and passion for life and people inevitably rubs off on all who has an encounter with him. He is forever joyful, “proudly” hyperactive, ? but still so deeply grounded and secure in faith and family. He is Michael Houlie, one of SA’s top swimming youths.

To the question “Who are you” he says “I am happy & uncomplicated. I like everyone to be up ….not down. I am always positive (even when things seem bad). The attribute of Encouragement is my natural thing. I believe in people and I love to see others reach their potential. Encouraging others actually gives me a lift as well.”

About his faith he says “I am very fortunate to have a family legacy (Great Grandfather, Grandfather on both sides and my Dad) of Men, who love Jesus and live out their Faith every day”.

His swim journey so far is very inspirational and will be an absolute pleasure to watch for the future.

Athlete: Bio / Stats

Name & Surname           Michael Houlie
Nick Name                         Mike/Mikey/Houlligan
Date of birth                      27/06/2000
Place of birth                    Rondebosch, Cape Town
Current City                      Cape Town
Height                                  1.89m
Weight                                 86kg
Shoe Size                            15
Club                                      AquaSharks Academy
Coach’s Name                  Csanad Feldhausz

Out of Country events/ meets
Egypt (Junior Africa, October 2015)
Italy (Treviso Cup, July 2016)
Angola (u20 Youth Games, December 2016)
Upcoming:
Junior Commonwealth Games – Bahamas (July 2017)
Fina Junior World Champs – USA (August 2017)

Secondary Sports           Soccer, Waterpolo (in my past)
Favorite City                     New York City
Favorite Song                  I don’t have a favourite song, my favorite type of music is Jazz
Favorite Movie                 Chef & The hundred-foot Journey
School & Grade                Bishops Diocesan College, Grade 11
Sponsors
I have no Sponsorship. I really love swimming in Arena Products.

Instagram:          @mikehoulie7
FaceBook:          Michael Houlie
Twitter:                @mikehoulie7

Community / church projects involved in
I attend Jubilee Community Church in Observatory (Cape Town), I go to my youth group occasionally but swimming takes up most of my time.
Parents Names, siblings
My Dad: Sam Houlie
My Mom: Colleen Houlie
My Sister: Amy-Joy Houlie

INTERVIEW:

Q: Firstly – congrats you have just been selected to represent our beautiful nation in the US – FINA Junior World Champs and Commonwealth Champs – wow and well done. What is on your heart and mind right now about these opportunities?

I am really ecstatic and honored to represent my country. Selection is never assured, even if you have swum the qualifying times. This is one of 2 possible Junior events in 2017 that I have been working towards and I am so happy that it is official.

Junior Worlds is a “big deal” – the opportunity to swim against the best in the world is what we train for. I can hardly wait.

The fact that it is in the USA is a bonus. The US is the strongest & deepest swimming nation and competing in their backyard is a dream come true for me.  I have family (cousins) who live in the US and it is really cool, because I have not seen them for a few years and they are finally able to watch me swim in person.

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?

What is not well known, is that I have only been 100% dedicated to Swimming for the last 18 months (since 1 January 2016).  Prior to that, I was juggling swimming with Music studies & other sports, particularly Water Polo.

So I still have loads of room for improvement – I have spent very little time on the technical aspects (starts, turns and under-waters) and I have not even begun to work out with weights or taken my land-based training to a higher level.

In that context, my ascent in junior swimming has been rapid and sudden…..but it has also been fun & interesting (which suits my personality).

So from “nowhere” in 2014, I basically burst onto the National Junior Scene at the 2015 Level 3 Champs in PE (where I broke the then SA Age Group record in the 50m Breast for Boys aged 14, in my very first swim). I also qualified for Senior Nationals with that first swim…..which was very overwhelming at the time. Looking back now…..that swim represented the “breakthrough” and the exact moment when I decided in my heart to give swimming a full go.

[since that first swim in March 2015, I progressed to multiple Golds at the Africa Junior Champion in 2015, WP Champion at Senior Level, SA Nationals finalist, 2 Silver Medals in the Senior Africa Champs in Bloemfontein and 4 Golds at the Africa u20 Youth Games in Angola]

That’s the quick summary …..the full story is longer and a lot more interesting

So here goes …..

My Mum says that I took to water instantly – she took me to “water-safe” sessions before my first birthday (apparently, I just jumped in and could not stop smiling).

By the time I started school, I was very comfortable in the water. Fortunately for me, my Prep school (RBPS) had a very strong swimming team and at age 7, when I started breaking the school and regional Breaststroke records – I had a sense that I could swim fast. This trend continued throughout my prep school years and was the first affirmation of my ability to swim fast breaststroke.

I was a busy kid and around that time (aged 7), my Mum heard that swimming was a good discipline for hyperactive boys – so I joined the Cado squad at the Sports Science in Newlands (with renowned coach, Brian Button). I was not a regular at Cado (at least once a week or twice at most) because of other school sports (rugby, soccer) and my Music commitments (the Violin)

In 2010 (aged 10), Water-Polo entered my life and quickly became my main sport. In a stroke of good fortune, my prep school team was a freakishly talented team of good swimmers that could also play polo really well. For the next 5 years, I basically only trained swimming for Waterpolo, but no more than 2 dedicated sessions a week. I participated in club & league gala’s but I never ever took it seriously.

At 11 years old, a good friend (who was a polo teammate and the best swimmer in our school) joined the Acqua Sharks club in GreenPoint (with my current Coach, Csanad Feldhauz) – at the time 2 of my polo teammates were swimming there and my Dad thought it would be good for me to join a swim group, with my mates.

Even though I was still an infrequent swim trainer – Csanad’s Hungarian training philosophy improved my swimming results almost immediately. It was most apparent in the Medley (up to that point, I was only competitive in Breaststroke …..my other strokes were really weak)

My Water-Polo achievements continued (Western Province Schools A Team) into High School. Surprisingly, my swimming times were good enough to qualify for Level 3, but my parents decided that subjecting me to hectic competition was unwise  – they wanted me to just have fun and to enjoy as many sports as possible. I was completely unaware of this – my parents have since explained it to me and I am thankful that they did it – swimming is my decision and I have always enjoyed it…..I am fresh and still having fun.

In Dec 2014 , I won a gold at WP Champs in the 50m Breaststroke on day 1 (I was more than a year younger than every one and it was the first sign that I was improving rapidly). I only competed on day 1 – I had to rush to a National Water polo tournament straight after that – which really upset my Coach.

At the start of 2015 (my Grade 9 year) – my Coach (Csanad) gave me an ultimatum. He said that if missed Level 3 in 2015, then he would kick me out of squad.

I did not want to be kicked out….so I entered. The Coach was even more upset because 80% of my time was spent in the Waterpolo pool in the first 3 months of 2015. I flew straight from a big polo tournament in Joburg (to PE) and then jumped into the pool the next day for that first swim.

Once I tasted the success of swimming…..I was “hooked”. Winning Golds at the Africa Junior Champs in Cairo (in October 2015) and hearing the National Anthem, while the SA flag was being raised, inspired me…….after that, pushing myself in training was easy. It re-inforced my heart decision to focus on swimming and consequently,  I quit water-polo in December 2015 and I have not looked back since.

 

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

As you progress in swimming, you are always striving for better and higher.

A lot has happened in a short space of time. Making the Senior SA Team for the Africa Champs and getting 2 Silvers in the 50m and 100m Breast, is my best achievement so far (I had just turned 16 at the time and competing at Senior Level while still a Junior and being in the same team as Cameron van der Burgh & Chad Le Clos, was just incredible for me).

Q: Could you like to share a little bit more about your faith journey and how it has affected your life / sports?

It starts with my family.

I am very fortunate to have a family legacy (Great Grandfather, Grandfather on both sides and my Dad) of Men, who love Jesus and live out their Faith every day. There is no pretending, there is nothing hidden….they are just normal people loving God and wanting to please him, despite their imperfections.

The Women in the family are similar and have also influenced me – but making my way in the world as a young guy, means I relate to my Dad and the men a bit more.

In terms of my Faith……I don’t over-complicate it. For me, it is all about GRACE and the rescue job Jesus did for me on the cross. So it is not about Performance and it is not about strict rules (Religion).

It helps me in my Swimming – which is 100% the Opposite of God’s Grace. Swimming is all about Performance – if you don’t achieve or win then you are nowhere. Swimming can be a brutal sport sometimes.

Because of Jesus and my understanding of Grace – it takes the pressure off, I am able to give 100% ,I go 100% for the Win, I respect my opponents, I have no fear and failure is never fatal. I learn from bad swims…..but I can move on very quickly.

So I am free and I am always happy – which is the best state of mind for big races. I am super-focused for the race……and super-relaxed before & after.

Q: So, you are a brilliant swimmer and academic – but name 1 thing that you suck at 🙂

I suck at a lot of things. I am really bad at sports like Golf and Cricket (I also don’t have the attention span required to do well at these sports)

I suck at anything that requires me to sit down quietly for more than 20 minutes (I like to be active…..I am a doer….I like action…..I like doing things)

Q: Favourite food and who must cook it  ?

My favourite food is Sushi. For a cooked meal, I will go with anything my Mum cooks…….especially her Crumbed Chicken with home-made Vetkoek

Q: You love your football – lessons from footie that you can apply in swimming ?

Yeah….Football and FIFA (on PlayStation) is amazing.

There is so much that swimmers can learn from Football

  • The top Footballers are super talented but they work very hard. Christiano Ronaldo’s teammates all respect his work ethic. If you don’t do the work….it will show up on the pitch and in the big games

  • they have FUN. You have to love your sport to have fun. I enjoy the celebrations when they score a goal …..they are 100% in the moment ….Antone Griezmann’s signature celebration is my personal favorite

  • the big players arrive in the big games. Performing well or even better in the big games is 100% Mental ….Self-Belief is the differentiating factor

  • a Footballer’s career lasts for only a short while (barring injury) – we are taking 10-12 years max. You have to make the most of your peak years…..

  • Good teams can lose games and have bad games. You can’t change the past ….there is always the next game or the next season. The best teams always move and look forward.

  • Famous Footballers have the ability to impact lives and inspire greatness . Italian Legend Alessandro Del Piero once said: “More players need to stop & take pictures with fans, for you its one second, for them its a lifetime”

Q: What is your favourite Bible / Scripture quote?

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future”

Q:  What is your definition of success in life?

To me Success is many things
– it is doing what you love
– it is going 100% after your goals and
– it is learning from your mistakes

 

Q: What’s your WHY? Why do you do what you do?

My WHY? Is to do the best with what God has given me.

This is a tough question because I am only 16 years old and the future lies ahead of me. I have the potential but I still have to go out and achieve it first.

Right now, I can only influence others in 2 ways

1) Firstly, just being myself (there is a lot about me and my mannerisms on pool deck that make me different to the norm). I am comfortable with that. If my conduct can inspire everyone to be true to themselves – that will make me happy.

2) Secondly….If my peers can see me having Fun and being willing to do the hard work to achieve the success.

I have my unique combination of my background, my physical attributes, my temperament and my opportunities. They are completely different to my parents (who had to overcome enormous obstacles, so that I can have opportunities that exclude millions by virtue of the high cost of entry & participation).

Swimming is a sport that requires money (for coaching, kit, competitions & travelling), access to facilities & time (years of training) – I don’t see it changing soon….but maybe I can do something about that in later years.

I don’t know what the future holds…..nobody knows……at this point it certainly looks like swimming could give me a platform to develop my skills, to meet people, to travel the world and to ultimately influence people.

That’s all a long way away. Right now…..I am grinding hard and building it. There are no shortcuts and I am still very young. I am building the substance and gaining the experience. I am young and it all takes time. I would genuinely love to make 3 consecutive Olympic Games, starting in Toyko 2020 – that means hard work first and talking later.

Q: What are you most grateful for at the moment?

My Family (my Dad, my Mum and my sister Amy-Joy) …..my family are amazing. They love me no matter what and they support me 100% (at great sacrifice). I could not do what I do without them.

 

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!

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Fresh & Hungry: Jonathan Horn

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Jonathan Horn, a grade 11 learner at Boys High is a dedicated and brilliant swimmer, a true young leader, with such a loyal heart towards all that he touches. As a little swimmer in grade 3 when he could not swim well at all, answered the coach who asked if he was ready with a confident “I was born ready”, and ended up taking 3rd place! This is exactly how on point he lives is life, in the moment, ready to seize the moment and make a difference where he is.

 

He says “ I am diligent and hardworking, I try my best to do everything I do to my best ability. I enjoy going out with my friends, I have very strong personal values and I believe in myself with everything I do, I believe self-confidence is the key to a happy life. I like to think that with living a life like mine and any athletes a bit of relaxation is important but there is a very fine line between relaxing and procrastinating. In the future I would like to procrastinate less and do a bit more studying when I can, I want to keep swimming and I want to peruse a happy life and never stop working hard.

 

 

Athlete: Bio / Stats
Name & Surname Jonathan Horn
Nick Name At school, I am known as Lucky Star or Horn but everywhere else it’s just Jonathan or Jono
Date of birth 3 July 2000
Place of birth Pretoria
Current City Pretoria
Height 1.74m
Weight 70kg
Shoe Size 9
Club TUKS
Coach’s Name Keenan Riffle
Out of Country events/ meets NTS Mozambique 2016
Secondary Sport/ sports Indoor soccer and occasionally cross-country
Favorite City Cape Town
Favorite Song/ type of music My favorite song is Harry Potter by the whistles and the bells , and my favorite type of music is very relaxed music
Favorite Movie Guardians of the galaxy
School & Grade Pretoria Boys High School , grade 11
Instagram I only have Instagram, jonathan_horn21
Web site N/A
Community / church projects involved in Currently I am not involved in a church, but I help out where ever I see help is needed .
Parents Names, siblings Mom –Rae     Father – Michael

Brother – Brandon

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?

My journey actually started before I knew it in grade 3 when I could not swim at all (my mom says I looked like a cockroach) and I swam in the D- league gala for Irene primary school. As I stood behind the block for my one race, the 50m butterfly, my coach asked me if I was ready knowing that I could not swim very well, and I answered, I was born ready, and I ended up coming 3rd in that race. That woke up some competitive spirit in me, because since then I’ve always had a desire to be the best in everything I do. In that moment, my journey started and I never even realized it. Then later in my life I started at Pretoria Boys High School, this school changed my life in every way possible, it gave me friends, amazing teachers and a home.

In grade 8 the only thing I wanted was to wear the red full colors sport blazer but at the time I was not particularly good at any sport, but I wanted that blazer so I started playing water polo. I was constantly being kicked out of the A team and then brought back up. As a young boy this was emotional because I’ve always wanted to be the best, and so to be the best I started swimming. Through swimming I found myself , I learnt discipline and what it meant to be an athlete and I fell in love with the sport so much so that I ended up stopping water polo which was the reason I started swimming. At first no one at school understood why I did what I did because at my school being in the First team for a sport is about the biggest thing that can happen to someone. To be honest I don’t know why I did what I did either, but I suppose something inside me told me that swimming was the right thing for me.  Then earlier this year I got my red blazer and it means more to me than anyone can realize, to me it represents countless hours of hard work and all the tears and bloodshed that I have gone through. I know that I am not the best but I’m working on that, will I ever get to Olympics ? Who knows? and if I don’t , that’s ok to because this journey and this sport has taught me more than 12 years of school or any lesson. Swimming has truly changed my life.

 Q: Who are you? Describe yourself as a person.

I like to thing I am a nice guy, I am usually open to change depending on the situation. I am diligent and hardworking. I try my best to do everything I do to my best ability. I enjoy going out with my friends, I have very strong personal values and I believe in myself with everything I do. I believe self-confidence is the key to a happy life. At the moment I see the glass as half full, but like everyone  I have my days that I feel down and depressed but I’m human and that happens. I like to think that with living a life like mine and any athletes a bit of relaxation is important but there is a very fine line between relaxing and procrastinating. In the future I would like to procrastinate less and do a bit more studying when I can. I want to keep swimming and I want to peruse a happy life and never stop working hard.

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

I have only been swimming for about two years now but I think I have achieved quite a lot in this short time. My biggest achievements include winning 10 gold medals at the 2015 Mayoral Gala, this is not a big achievement, but personally it meant a lot. I have also come 3rd for the 100m butterfly at the 2016 NTS invitational gala. Furthermore I was invited to the 2016 NTS Mozambique gala where I came 1st for the 100m freestyle and for the 50m butterfly and I came 2nd for the 100m butterfly and 3rd for the 200m IM. I was also fortunate enough to attend the 2017 SA Schools Championship as part of team Gauteng where I came 5th for the 50m and 100m butterfly. My biggest achievement would be my selection to the SA Schools team.

Q: Would you like to share a little bit more about your faith journey and how it has affected your life / sports?

I am Christian, but I do not attend church, I do believe that my talent and my gifts came from the man above. I have only encountered one situation where my faith came to test in my journey. This year (2017) I had trained twice a day through the December holidays all for one goal, which was to qualify for the junior nationals gala and all I had to do was drop 0.38s and then in February I swam the race and I had never felt more confident in myself . But then I added 3seconds. I was devastated and I started to question if there really was someone looking out for me.

But after a long time I’ve realized that everything happens for a reason even if the reason is never clear, one day it will become clear, and if it never becomes clear you just need to know there is a plan for you. In that experience that I had I think the reason for it happening was to teach me that no matter how hard you train or how ready you are things happen. You can’t always break yourself down after a bad race, and since then I’ve had a more light hearted approach to my races and I’ve been improving more than I could have imagined.

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

We all know that an education is the most important part of a child’s development, this is a lesson that has hit me hard in the last two years as I am on my way out of school and on to university. The sad reality of life is that only about 3% of athletes actually make a living off of their sport and so it is extremely important to have a plan B for if sport does not work out. You don’t need to be the top academic in your grade to be happy with your results, if you studied for 100% and only got 60% its ok because you gave it your all, but the biggest thing is not to be disappointed in yourself . In today’s world children are almost scared or actually terrified of failing because everyone tells them that if they fail or don’t get 80% for every test they will have a horrible life. And that’s not true, every person on this world has a talent and only a small amount of people have a talent for doing well at school.

It is important to study hard and do well. But it’s not everything in life. I for one have learnt more about people and life from two years of swimming than 11 years of school has taught me. I do believe that education plays a vital role in a young person’s life, but I also believe that school will be a lot easier and there will be a lot less pressure on children (especially in the higher grades) if they were taught to be happy with their academic abilities because we’re all different and we’re not all A+ students .

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

Singing, I love music and I wish I could play a musical instrument or even sing but I’m really terrible at it. I’ve tried once or twice to start singing to the words of a song when it comes on the radio but I should leave that to the professionals because I think I’m tone deaf. I even got a guitar for my birthday one year but I think the noises coming from my room were just so horrible my parents took it away.

Q: What is your favourite meal and who must cook it?

Macaroni and Cheese, my mom must cook it.

 Q: Besides your Swimming, what do you have a passion for?

I have a strong passion for my school. I think I owe a lot of who I am to my school, it is really a special place. It took me in when I was a 13-year-old boy and I was very timid and shy and I found it hard to make friends. But I was taught how to stand up for myself and be more self-confident which has helped me a lot in life.

I am also starting a YouTube channel soon which will be about my life as a swimmer and a student at Pretoria Boys High School. I am hoping it will just be a fun hobby to take my mind off of swimming and school.

Q: How do you currently manage to balance all the things in your life?

Currently I am only able to balance everything because I am very diligent about my time and my time management is quite good. But the one thing that really helps me balance my life is my mom. My mom is my rock, whenever I feel like I can’t handle my life anymore, she is my shoulder to cry on, she is always there when I need to go to training and she will never say no when I ask her for something. I honestly don’t think I could have had a better mother, she is truly a blessing to me.

Q: What is your definition of success?

My definition of success is not the amount of medals won or records broken, to me true success is happiness and a feeling of self-fulfillment. When I get out of the pool on a Sunday I feel like I am a success because I am happy that I completed another week of training. When an Olympic champion wins a gold medal they are not happy because they won the medal, they are happy because all the hours of training have paid off and they have a feeling of self-fulfillment. To me a true champion is the person who can get up after every bad race, be happy with something from the race even if it’s something small that no one else noticed, like one extra underwater kick . That person is a success because they are happy when everyone else would be disappointed.

Q: What’s your WHY ?  Why do you do what you do?

My WHY is everyone who believes in me, everyone who doesn’t believe in me and everyone who doesn’t know me. To those who believe in me, I do what I do because I know they want me to succeed and do well in life. For those who don’t believe in me, I do what I do to prove to them that you can never underestimate someone just because they are different. To those who don’t know me, I do what I do so that one day I will hopefully be a positive role model to children and let them see that you don’t need to be the best to succeed in your own way .

If I can set an example to children or leave a legacy behind me I would like people to know that it’s never too late to start something and being the best is not everything in life. If you’re not the top athlete that’s fine, just don’t stop training. If you’re not the top academic in your grade, that’s ok, just don’t stop studying. If you work for what you want and you work harder than everyone else, then maybe just maybe one day things will work out.

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

I just want to say that my mindset in life is this, this week I do what I could not do last week so that next week I can do what I could not do this week. What that means to me is that I must never stop working and I must never stop improving because one day it will pay off.

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!

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Meet the Young Athletes: Jacques Malan

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Jacques Malan shares his thoughts on deep issues like success, his faith in Christ and his challenges. He has had many set backs and broken body parts in his young swimming career, but he just keeps going – this indeed is yielding wonderful results as he is constantly upping his game and going from strength to strength. He has also had the honour of representing our beautiful nation internationally, and found it to be such an enriching experience. He speaks with much respect about his Coach – Michelle Vlasakova. He is a young man full of gratefulness and has a certain joie de vivre and smile that captivates those around him.

He says “I am a very sociable person and see only the good in other people.  I am easy going and do not stress too much.  My family would describe me as a bit lazy sometimes :-).  My goal is to be more focused this coming season”.

Athlete: Bio / Stats
Name& Surname Jacques Malan
Nick Name Jacques
Date of birth 2002-03-04
Place of birth Pretoria
Current City Centurion
Height 1.74
Weight 70kg
Shoe Size 10
Club Alcatraz
Coach’s Name Michelle Vlasakova
Out of Country meets CANA Zone 4 – Mauritius 2016

XIX Gala Golfinhos Sprint 2016 – Mozambique
Secondary Sports Athletics – 100m, 200m & 400m
Favorite City Italy – I would like to one day go there
Favorite Song Alan Walker – sing me to sleep
Favorite Movie Fast & Furious nr 7
School & Grade Hoërskool Eldoraigne – Grade 9
Sponsors Key360 & a subsidy from Arena
Instagram names malan_jacques101
Parents Names, siblings Isabel – mom, Petrus – dad, Ruan – Brother

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 have loved swimming since I was a baby.  Up until 2014, I only participated in school galas.  When I moved to Michelle at Alcatraz three years ago I started swimming full time.  I had a bit of a setback when my first competitive season started in 2014. At school during PT, I broke two fingers on my left hand, which ended up with me needing surgery and getting pins in my fingers, which meant no swimming for 6 weeks.  I started training again and was back in the water for two weeks when I broke my right wrist.  Not wanting to miss any training we found a brace that was waterproof, even though I could not compete that year, it was possible for me to keep training and prepare for the 2015 swim season.  Since then I have been training hard and I am happy with the way I am progressing through the rankings.

Q: You have been proudly part of Team SA before representing our beautiful nation, where did you go what did that feel like?

I went to CANA Zone IV in Mauritius in 2016 as part of the old level 2 team.  It was very exciting and so much fun.  Mixing and socializing with swimmers from other African countries and the lasting friendships I formed was one of the highlights.

Q: Who are you? Describe yourself as a person.

I am a very sociable person and see only the good in other people.  I am easy going and do not stress too much.  My family would describe me as a bit lazy sometimesJ.  My goal is to be more focused this coming season.

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

Being chosen for the CANA team to Mauritius and the NTS Junior team to Mozambique.  Qualifying for the NTS Senior team this year, and achieving qualifying times for NJSA levels.  I also made the Gauteng School team in 2016 and 2017.

Q: Why do you have so much love and respect for your coach?

My coach, Michelle Vlasakova is a, no nonsense, hard working and dedicated coach.  For a relative small club her swimmers representation at National and Provincial level is outstanding. She is a firm believer of building us up gradually and not to over train us in order to achieve short-term success.

 Q: What is your favorite food? And who must cook it J?

Regina Pizza from Enzo’s J.

Q: So you swim well but name 1 thing that you suck at J

Art – My mom has to basically assist me with all my assignments.  I think my teacher knows but keeps quiet in the hope that I drop the subject at the end of this year.  Oh and golf, my seven year old brother is better than meJ.

Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?

“They never said it would be easy, they said it would be worth it”

Q: What is your favourite Bible / Scripture quote?

Philippians 4:13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength

Q: What is your definition of success in life?

To excel in what you love to do must be the ultimate reward.  Always stay humble.

Q: What’s your WHY?  Why do you do what you do?

It is very simple, I just love water and swimming.  I swim for myself.  My family support me all the way, but they do not put any pressure on me.  Although it is every persons dream to achieve the highest level in their sport, it is not always possible.  Just never give up on your dream.  I would like to be remembered as somebody that got along with everyone no matter their background.

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

Discipline is doing what you know needs to be done even if you don’t want to do it.

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!

This Post is Proudly Sponsored by Wonder Towel – www.wondertowel.co.za – Eco-friendly Microfibre Towels for every occassion: #EcoFriendlyLuxury4Life

 

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Fresh & Hungry – Bernard Becker

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The story of Bernard Becker is one of being strong and courageous even in times of struggle and in times when results are not what they should be, despite hard and relentless training. He is a wonderful encouragement to all our little athletes that they need to push through the hard patches in sport. He puts his faith in God’s plan for his life and is ambitious for the future.

He says “ …things I would like people to see in me, is someone who can work hard when no one is looking. I am really a relaxed person when it comes to swimming. I try not to overthink stuff and to be calm at all times. I like to be alone especially when I train. I am focused and love swimming in my own lane. I don’t care what other people’s times are and I just train to swim the perfect race. I can do nothing about a competitor, I can only swim MY race”.

Athlete: Bio / Stats
Name & Surname Bernard Becker
Nick Name Barry
Date of birth 19 March 2001
Place of birth Wligers Hospital, Pretoria
Current City Pretoria
Height 1,85 m
Weight 73 kg
Shoe Size nr 10
Club Gerhard Zandberg Sport Academy   (GZSA)
Coach’s Name Gerhard Zandberg
Out of Country events/ meets Mozambique  Aug 2015  and now the CANA Junior Africa Swimming Championships, coming up at the end of  March 2017 in Cairo, Egypt.
Secondary Sport/ sports Athletics- High jump
Favorite City Best memories in Sochi, Russia, Menlopark Choir tour, June 2016.

Love Pretoria, always!
Favorite Song/ type of music “It’s real”  Artist: Real Estate.

I  love Indie and hate Country.
Favorite Movie Tintin
School & Grade Menlopark Hoërskool, Gr 10
Sponsors Full sponsor from my dad……haha…. and ARENA
Twitter and Instagram names, facebook name Instagram: bernard_becker    Facebook: Bernard Becker
Community / church projects involved in I am part of NG Lynnwood and hope to be more involved in community projects, especially teaching under privileged people to swim and enjoy the water as much as I do. We have so much to give!
Parents Names, siblings My parents,Gert & Janet Becker,

my sister Janet(28) and

brother-in-law, Naudé(30) and their baby boy, Eduan(1) and then my big brother, Gerhard(25).

Yes, I am a ‘laatlammetjie’ and an uncle and I love it!

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?

My swimming journey started in Gr1 when the whole grade was forced to go to the swimming try outs.  After the try outs I went to the inter house gala and came second in 25 freestyle. I didn’t even swim in a proper swimsuit all I had was a black skipants. I was terrible in cricket and not really the best in rugby so I saw swimming as an opportunity to do my own thing and as a challenge. From there on I took swimming lessons till I qualified for level 2 in grade 4. Allthough I trained a lot at that stage, I never won and really struggled to swim the times that I wanted. This motivated me more than winning. I learned how it felt not to win when I was little and that helped me a lot throughout my swimming career. I then started swimming with Gerhard Zandberg and then I started to win some races. Gerhard saw some potential in me and and took me to where I am now. We use a “smart training” approach that is completely different to the way I use to train and how most of my competitors train.

 Q: Who are you? Describe yourself as a person.

It’s hard to describe myself but the things I would like people to see in me, is someone who can work hard when no one is looking. I am really a relaxed person when it comes to swimming. I try not to overthink stuff and to be calm at all times. I like to be alone especially when I train. I am focused and love swimming in my own lane. I don’t care what other people’s times are and I just train to swim the perfect race. I can do nothing about a competitor; I can only swim MY race.

Q: You have been selected to be part part of Team SA for the Champs in Egypt in March – Congratulations! What is on your heart and mind right now regarding this upcoming event?

I’m super stoked to be on the team because this means that Swim SA has noticed me. I feel like my hard  work is paying off , but I know that if I want to become a professional swimmer, I have to win at this gala and even try to break a record. That would be so great!!

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

My greatest accomplishment so far is winning a gold medal in 50 freestyle, backstroke and fly at the 2016 Nationals. It made me feel so happy to see the result of all the hard training. I broke 5 NTS records at the 2016 NTS champs.

Q: Would you like to share a little bit more about your faith journey and how it has affected your life / sports?

I am just so blessed to be in the position that I am with great parents and an awesome coach and love and support from everyone. I take nothing for granted . I know that my talents and my motivation comes from God and I am thankful and try to do the best with my talent. I try to stay humble and to keep my head away from the clouds, because I know that I could never be where I am on my own

Q: What do you do to relax?

Once every 2 – 3 weeks my friends and I braai together and just chill the whole night long. There is nothing so relaxing than to sit with your friends and relax. I am fortunate to have amazing friends. I also play Ukelele in my free time to relax. I also sing in the Menlopark choir that is the best mixed school choir in the country. I love dirt bike riding and wish there was more time for that.

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

Without education one will struggle in life. You need something to fall back on when you quit swimming. When you have a good education you are more than just a swimmer. You cannot rely on swimming alone to provide you with a good income and cannot keep on swimming forever. That is why I study hard to get to a good university to become a mechanical engineer.

Q: So, you are a brilliant athlete and academic– but name 1 thing that you suck at 🙂

I really suck at cricket. In Gr1, I went to one cricket practice and I hated it so much that I’ve never played it again. The result now is that I cannot  catch or hit a ball with any form of stick!! In other words-  I suck at ball sports.

Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?

‘Losers quit when they’re tired. Winners quit when they’ve won.’ Anonymous

Q: What is your favourite Bible / Scripture quote?

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 hope and a future.”

Q: What’s your WHY ?  Why do you do what you do?

I swim because I want to see how far I can get. I want to be the best 50 free style swimmer. I would like people to know me as someone who works very hard, always stays humble, loves his country, always tries his best and never gives up.

Q: Anything else you would like to share?

I hope that I can inspire someone that does not win a lot,  to keep on trying and become as good as they can be, at what they do.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to share something of myself with you.

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!

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Catching up with Young Athlete: Jessica Jenkinson

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We first published Jessica, our youngest little athlete two years back in 2015 – she was excelling then, and has reached  even greater heights 2 years later. Still a champ. Still hungry to succeed. Still ambitious. Still with big dreams and still humbled and blessed be be alive and thriving, despite her medical condition. Well done Jess – we are watching this space for the future. SA is blessed to have young and up coming the likes of you!

Meet the Young Athletes: Jessica Jenkinson

Jessica Jenkinson Stats

 

Athlete: Bio / Stats
Name& Surname Jessica Jenkinson
Nick Name Jess
Date of birth 21/03/2017
Place of birth Springs
Current City Brakpan
Height 1.32
Weight 30kg
Shoe Size 2
Club Sunward Athletic Club
Coach’s Name Dino Thomas
Out of Country events/ meets None
Secondary Sport/ sports Tetrathlon, Laser Run, Swimming, Fencing, Netbal, Hockey
Favorite City Cape Town
Favorite Song Wilde Wilde Weste
Favorite Movie I am Bolt from Husain Bolt
School & Grade Grade 3
Sponsors None
Instagram names Face Book Page: Jessica Jenkinson (@JessicaJenkinsonBorntorun)
Parents Names, siblings Mark and Mariliza Jenkinson – Brothers, Juandre and Alrich Kotze

Athlete Update
Name & Surname Jessica Jenkinson
Since we last spoke, what major events have you competed in?

 

 Gauteng East Championships 2016 (School Athletics)

Central Gauteng Championships 2016 (Club Athletics)

Gauteng East Championships 2017 (School Athletics)

Gauteng Championships 2017 (School Athletics)

Gauteng Laser Run Championships 2017

Gauteng Tetrathlon Championships 2017

South African Laser Run Championships 2017

South African Tetrahlon Championships 2017
Name some of your highlights in the above?

 

 I won the Gauteng East Championships, Gauteng Laser Run Championships and the Gauteng Tetrathlon Championships. I received 3rd place in the South African Tetrathlon Championships competing in the Under 11 age group. Besides competing in the above championships which was life changing, I also made new friends that I will hold dear forever.

Do you want to comment of your progress so far? I am extremely happy and blessed for how far I have come and have gained invaluable experience form the larger events I have participated in.
What are big changes in your sport life that has happened since we spoke? Besides my sprinting I took up some new challenges during the year such as fencing and Laser shooting which forms part of the Tetrathlon and Laser Run portfolio.
What are your current challenges? Because I am so young my body is going through extreme growth spurts which mean I need to change my training schedule frequently to adapt to such changes.  As part of my existing heart condition I have an elongated, high lying aortic arch. This causes compression of my trachea and esophagus which at times make it difficult for me to breathe during longer distance running and training.

What are you plans for the new season / near future? I am currently on a rest break and will start my winter training program on the 1st of June 2017 once I get the clear from my Cardiologist. I will also be competing in the Laser Run World Championships in October this year. I hope to compete in the SA Athletic Club Championships in November 2017. I will be old enough to compete in the South African School Athletic Championships next year and my goal is to be one of the athletes selected to represent the Gauteng team. In short to do it all over again.
What are you most grateful for at the moment? I am grateful that I am healthy through God’s grace and able to be the best sports girl that I can possibly be.  I cherish every minute that I am able to compete as there will come a day that I won’t compete anymore.  Whether that day is tomorrow or 20 years from now, it will come and I want to make the most of every day I get to step on the track. I’m grateful for my parents who support I will always have and all the sacrifices they make in order for me to live my dream.
Anything Else you want to mention? Thank you to my athletic coach Dino Thomas, my fencing coach, Kyle De Lange, each and every teacher at my school, my family and friends for your support and faith in me. I feel humble and blessed to have you all in my life.

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Through the Lens of Amy Bathgate

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Amy Bathgate is that quiet and most “focused” presence at our sports events. Yet her impact on changed, improved and victorious athletes has nothing quiet about it at all.

SA Sport is indeed blessed with the likes of Amy who serve with passion, dedication, and much heart as she works with our athletes and coaches through her biomechanics and videography. Her lens has focused on subjects as diverse as Olympians through to the youngest of our young little athletes.

She says “ I look at some athletes and obviously I am often impressed at how good they are – but it is super exciting to analyse their techniques and performances and then realize how good they possibly could be! Her story is all about how destiny chose her for this career that gives her so much joy.

When asked to share a challenge to our youth she says – “Take accountability. Forget excuses. And enjoy what you do!”

Q: You are passionate and doing brilliantly as a HPC Biomechanics & Video Analyst and Dartfish Certified Instructor. The quiet and most “focused” presence at our sports events 🙂,  thank you! Tell me a little bit about how you started in this field, your career journey up to now?

Thanks! Well to be honest I didn’t really choose this career path at all – it kind of chose me. I was uncertain as to what career to pursue after finishing school and Sport Science or Biomechanics wasn’t even one of my potential options. Slowly through my studies however, it came to the forefront and I was drawn towards the physics of movement in the human body. My studies brought me to Tuks and during my time there I got involved helping out shadowing certain people at the HPC and Biomechanics basically took over from there. It became a passion which has grown through the years and I love what I do! I’ve been able to work with athletes and coaches from all walks of life, in numerous sports and with all sorts of goals. From international athletes looking to blow up the world stage to young children still learning the basics – the goal is always to improve on their performances and every day is different and every story has its own rewards.

So no, it wasn’t planned, but it all fell into place for me J

Q: You have shared with me before your excitement when you work with the greats in sport and your vision for what is attainable – please can you share again 🙂

I find it really exciting to analyse performance/s and search for areas where improvement could possibly be made. Every athlete always wants to get better – it’s a career long search for what is possible and how good they can possibly be. Being able to contribute to this goal and provide a few stepping stones along the way is often very challenging but extremely rewarding. I look at some athletes and obviously I am often impressed at how good they are – but it is super exciting to analyse their techniques and performances and then realize how good they possibly could be!

Q: One of the highlights of your career so far?

It is so difficult to pinpoint any one specific highlight as there have simply been so many. But generally speaking it would be seeing the joy and excitement on the athletes faces when they achieve/surpass their goals and I know I contributed in some way.

 Q: You are hectic with many things, long and overtime hours, away from home etc,  how do you manage to balance all aspects of your life?

I think enjoying what I do is key. Sport doesn’t operate in normal business hours and athletes aren’t books you can just close when you go home – so it’s all part of the job. It’s all a matter of prioritizing and working as efficiently as possible.

Q: Unfair question J – what is your favourite sport to watch and enjoy?

In terms of Olympic sports I would have to say Swimming. In terms of other sports it would be Cricket.

Q: Name 1 or 2 things on your bucket list? Career and or personal J

Career-wise I think to get to the point where the field of Biomechanics and Video/Performance Analysis is an integrated part of most South African elite team set-ups, instead of being used as an ad hoc service.

Personally I would have to say going to see the Northern Lights some time, and bring home the World Cup from the Dubai Indoor Cricket World Cup later this year 🙂

Q: You brilliant at what you do – but what 1 thing does Amy suck at 🙂

Saying NO… Oh and Golf…

Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?

“Sports do not build character – they reveal it!”

Q: Do you have any other collaborations / projects that you want to share about? 

I recently teamed up with an international company to do some research looking in-depth at the different phases of the freestyle flip turn in swimming and investigating how to get swimmers to turn faster and more efficiently.

Q: What is your why? What legacy do you want to leave behind for those coming after you?

Wow that’s a tough one… I would have to say my “why” is because I, personally, enjoy what I do. The athletes and the sports change, the goals change, things don’t always work out – but I enjoy every step of the journey. In terms of a legacy – I want to encourage and educate athletes and coaches about the benefits of using sport science so that those to come can to be more valued and integrated into sporting systems/teams.

Q: You deal daily with our sports youth, the sports stars of tomorrow, what would your challenge be to our youth?

Take accountability. Forget excuses. And enjoy what you do!

Thank you so much for taking this interview. We would like to wish you all the best for your journey and endeavours ahead. We look forward to following you as you go from strength to strength. Blessings!

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