Sean Moodley, one of Swimming SA’s brightest youth stars, in and out of the water. A young man of focus, balance, integrity and many words of wisdom. A straight a student despite many sport commitments. Champions in LIFE, not only in sports is what it is all about! Sean is a wonderful youth leader, having been selected as Team Captain at the upcoming SA School Sports Championships 10-15 Dec 2015 in Pretoria. Well done! He is proudly a member Electric Eels Swimming Club and a brilliant student at St Peter’s college. He has represented our beautiful nation on a few occasions internationally as part of Team SA. So young, so driven and a stunning example of being purposeful in life beyond sports. Our youth have a voice, they have an influence and they are determined to leave our country and our world a better place, by the example they set – I salute you!
Athlete: Bio / Stats |
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| Name & Surname | Sean Moodley |
| Nick Name | Seano |
| Date of birth | 22/09/1999 |
| Place of birth | Johannesburg |
| Current City | Johannesburg |
| Height | 179cm |
| Weight | 70kg |
| Shoe Size | 9-10 |
| Club | Electric Eels |
| Coach’s Name | Lynne Stockton |
| Out of Country events/ meets | Junior African Swimming Championships (2013 and 2015)
Junior FINA World Swimming Championships (2015) |
| Secondary Sport/ sports | Hockey |
| Favorite City | Durban |
| Favorite Song/ type of music | Classic man-Jidenna. I enjoy tropical house, chilled music, and rap at times. |
| Favorite Movie | The Blind Side, and To Save a Life |
| School & Grade | St Peter’s college, Grade 10 |
| Sponsors | No sponsorship, willing to accept one with open arms. |
| Twitter and Instagram, Facebook | Instagram-seanswimming22
Twitter-seantcmoodley |
| seanadammoodley@gmail.com | |
| Community projects involved in | Every year, I am involved in at least 15 hours of community service at the National Renal care unit at Sunninghill hospital or at St Peter’s. |
| Parents Names, siblings | Mom-Diane Campbell
Dad-Devan Moodley Brother-Kieran Moodley |
INTERVIEW:
Q: You are passionate and doing so well in your swimming, tell me a little bit about how you started, and your journey in the swimming arena up to now?
Well, my swimming career started at a very young age. Since I was born in September, I have always loved water. Learning to swim was easy for me as I was dropped in the pool at 6 month old. Everyone held their breaths. I then went all the way to the bottom of the pool and pushed off the floor and swam to the side. As I went through my primary school career, I always loved, and still do love, every sport. I was first team in every sport and enjoyed all aspects of them. I have always been told that I’m the type of person that will jump into things with two feet. I always give 100%. My swimming always used to shine over everything else however, and I only noticed this completely in Grade 8 when I was selected for Junior African Champs in Zambia in 2013 where I won a bronze medal! Ever since then, my swimming has gone to new heights with my most honorable achievement being selected for FINA World Junior Champs in Singapore. And, more recently, Junior African Champs again in Cairo this year.
Q: Who are you?
I would describe myself as very serious and assertive. I love to have fun and exercise and working hard towards something. I am also OCD with neatness and organization even though sometimes I’m very unorganized. I am very quiet at first but I can get very loud as you get to know me. I want to be someone that people can look to as a friend, mentor, and someone that I am aspiring to be like now, Cameron Van der Burgh, a true legend I think.
Q: What is the highest accolade that you have achieved in swimming and what is your greatest personal accomplishment?
Being selected for FINA World Junior Champs and being parts of the SSA Junior squad, and the fact that I am still able to swim to my highest ability and still accomplish my academic goals of 80% or above average. And also, the fact that I’ve made SA youth times.
Q: You are just back from an International event – Junior Africa Swimming Champs – Egypt, proudly part of Team SA – Congrats! How did you experience that? General observations? Lessons learned?
I’m still continuing to learn! I had a great experience as always and every international tour I go on, I realize how close I really am and how much closer I am to them than I was 2 years ago. It also shows me what I should be working towards in terms of the competition throughout African and the world.
Q: In your opinion, what is the value of Education in a young person’s life?
For me, education should always be first in a young person’s, in fact, everyone’s life. Education is the fundamental part of one’s life and should be cherish by those who are privileged enough to receive one. In my opinion, the only thing a person would regret is a missed opportunity. Don’t let your education be one.
Q: Would you like to share a little bit more about your faith journey and how it has affected your life / sports?
With the way I have been brought up, I don’t have a complete connection with faith and religion. My life has always seemed, to me, to be a systematic, one after the other cycle of an action, reaction and consequence with rewards. I do, however, know that he is watching over us, all the time. And all we have to do is recognize him.
Q: What do you do to relax?
I listen to calm, chilled music and do things I love to do: swim, spend time with family and friends, gym, play sport.
Q: What is your personal favourite motivational quote?
“Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts.” Albert Einstein.
Q: What is your favourite Bible quote?
“Do everything in love” 1 Corinthians 16:14
Q: What is your biggest challenge, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Coping with the amount of work and pressure that school entails with the fact that I swim internationally. It is very hard to balance all of these subjects and training sets sometimes to achive what I want to achieve. All I’ve done and its worked, so far, is worked consistently and made sure I am on top of my work and have a good balance between sleep, work and social, with the training a top priority with academics.
Q: What type of influence do you see yourself having on our nation’s youth? What example would you like to set for the one’s coming after you?
I want to be seen as a great swimmer and a true role model. I want to be seen as someone that took every opportunity he was given and make the most out of them. It has always been a dream of mine to go the Olympic Games in 2020. I also want to be seen to have a successful life outside of swimming and throughout my life with my job, family, and life style.
Q: What words of encouragement can you give to South African youth and the nation?
Always take every opportunity that is presented to you. You only regret the things that you don’t do. It’s your life, make it worth the while, and make it the best it can be. Republic of South Africa-we are best united. Let’s unite and make a difference. If after this interview, I have made a difference in one person’s life, well, that’s good enough for me!
Q: Anything else you would like to share?
Thank you so much for this interview. I really feel like I have given a mission to some of the youth of this country and the nation as a whole.
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!
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.
