SPORT - GENERAL
| 2013-08-05Swimmers aim for IPC glory
Sheefeni Nikodemus
AQUA MAN ... Gideon Nasilowski is hoping for success at the IPC World Championships. Virginactive.co.za
GIDEON ‘The Brave Swimmer’ Nasilowski heads to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming World Championships determined to make a lasting impression.
Namibia’s first recorded Paralympic swimmer says he has waited six years for this opportunity and is not about to let it slip.
Nasilowski today lead a team of only two swimmers – the other being Karlien Coleman - to Montreal, Canada for a maiden appearance at a major event.
“I’ve worked so hard to get here. All those hours of pushing in training are finally paying off,” Nasilowski told The Namibian Sport. “I’m going to swim my heart out. I’m not going to the World Championships to participate. I wanna go there to win.”
He is arguably the country’s best hope for a medal, given his exploits at the South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled National Championships in March where he improved the 100m national breaststroke record by 43 seconds
The 27 year-old is usually a 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle and the 100m breaststroke competitor. However he will only take on two distances in Montreal which he will decide once he gets his classification upon arrival at the competition.
His main target at the World Championships is to set new continental marks, having already laid claim to the national records.
“I want to be the best swimmer in Africa. I’m aiming for two African records. I’m in good condition and ready to take on the best in the world,” he said.
Coleman is a relative newcomer to competitivea sport but has already set new Namibian records in the S6 50m backstroke (one minute and 27 seconds), the 50m freestyle (1:06) and the 100m freestyle (2:36).
Nasilowski believes that she too can upstage her more established competitors.
“She has a big heart and she’s also a hard worker like me. This is her first year of competition. We have high hopes for her. She’s improving all the time,” he said.
“Namibia’s Paralympic athletes are becoming more feared. Every time we go out for competitions, we come back with new records and medals. That is our aim for these Championships as well. We always give it everything we’ve got. After these championships, the whole world will know that Namibia has top swimmers,” he said.
The team is coached by Ray Nasilowski, with Christiaan Coleman the team manager.
Nasilowski today lead a team of only two swimmers – the other being Karlien Coleman - to Montreal, Canada for a maiden appearance at a major event.
“I’ve worked so hard to get here. All those hours of pushing in training are finally paying off,” Nasilowski told The Namibian Sport. “I’m going to swim my heart out. I’m not going to the World Championships to participate. I wanna go there to win.”
He is arguably the country’s best hope for a medal, given his exploits at the South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled National Championships in March where he improved the 100m national breaststroke record by 43 seconds
The 27 year-old is usually a 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle and the 100m breaststroke competitor. However he will only take on two distances in Montreal which he will decide once he gets his classification upon arrival at the competition.
His main target at the World Championships is to set new continental marks, having already laid claim to the national records.
“I want to be the best swimmer in Africa. I’m aiming for two African records. I’m in good condition and ready to take on the best in the world,” he said.
Coleman is a relative newcomer to competitivea sport but has already set new Namibian records in the S6 50m backstroke (one minute and 27 seconds), the 50m freestyle (1:06) and the 100m freestyle (2:36).
Nasilowski believes that she too can upstage her more established competitors.
“She has a big heart and she’s also a hard worker like me. This is her first year of competition. We have high hopes for her. She’s improving all the time,” he said.
“Namibia’s Paralympic athletes are becoming more feared. Every time we go out for competitions, we come back with new records and medals. That is our aim for these Championships as well. We always give it everything we’ve got. After these championships, the whole world will know that Namibia has top swimmers,” he said.
The team is coached by Ray Nasilowski, with Christiaan Coleman the team manager.
