Troy Prinsloo and Chad Ho at the finish of the 2014 Midmar Mile.

Hercules Troyden Prinsloo (born November 16, 1985) placed third at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in the men's 1500m freestyle. He won three gold medals at the 2007 All-Africa Games, and previously he earned a silver medal in the men's 800m freestyle at the Pan Pacific Games. He also represented South Africa at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

Olympian, Commonwealth Games medallist and NCAA 1650 yard Champion. Troy Prinsloo matriculated from Kearsney College in Natal, after which he attended the University of Georgia.

His early career focussed on distance events in the pool, although he switched to open water events after the 2008 Olympic Games. In 2007 he set South African records for both the 800 and 1500 metre freestyle events at the African Swimming Championships at Casablanca in Morocco

Personal best times

Troy Prinsloo Is A Strong Contender At The Olympic Marathon

July4, 2012

Hercules Troyden Prinsloo from Durban, South Africa qualified for the Olympic Marathon Swimming 10km in London and is considered one of the darkhorses for a podium finish on August 10th in the Serpentine.

A 2008 Olympian in the 1500m freestyle and 2011 graduate of the University of Georgia in the United States, Prinsloo shifted over to the open water in 2011 with great success. "I do the majority of my training in Durban now with my coach Nick Gray and in Cape Town with Cedric Finch who I started working with at the beginning of this year."

And like many who have reached his level, the time commitment and personal sacrifice is significant...but worth the pain of admission.

"I usually swim about 18 km a day and between 90-100 km a week. I swam pool my whole life, but since 2011 I have completed changed my focus to open water swimming."

While over 30,000 people and a global television audience are expected to watch Prinsloo race six loops at the Olympic 10K, his training is far removed from the public eye. "I train on my own and there have been numerous occasions where I am the only one in the pool training with the coach on the side." But he mixes things up as he experiments in his new discipline. "I usually kick 1 km per session and pull half the session, so about 4 km of pulling each set. Since I am very new to open water swimming, I am not too sure on how to taper for it properly. For [the Olympic Marathon Qualification race in] Portugal, I had a 2-week taper where I dropped the mileage and intensity quite a bit."

His workouts - for those not called Hercules - can be intimidating. "The toughest workout I did was when I was training for the mile was in college with my coach Harvey Humphries. He made us go a 500 on 5:50 long course meters. Then, we went 5 x 100 on 1:05. We did that 6 times without a break. It was extremely difficult because we had to try hold [our] mile pace for the 100s. Holding 60s isn't easy on 1:05.

The toughest set I have done for open water was a set I did recently where I had to go 15 x 100 pull on 1:15 then straight into a 5 km straight. Then I did another 15 x 100 on 1:10 then straight into 1500m long course. But then I had to come back that same afternoon and do the exact same set again."

His memorable first name is a family name. "Hercules is my father's first name too. But I go by my second name Troy because I've been called that since I was a kid...and it's kinda embarrassing to be called Hercules." Strong as he is physically, his previous experience at the 2008 Beijing Olympics will undoubtedly help me in London. "I know how tough the level of competition is. I know what to expect in London and will be able to handle the pressure a lot better."

The Games will certainly be a pressure boiler, but Prinsloo has the pedigree to stamp his name in the annals of Olympic marathon swimming history.

South African Olympian Troy Prinsloo has set a new standard for the 7.5 KM Robben Island swim of 1 hour 23 minutes and 43 seconds.   The previous record for the crossing was held by German Christof Wandratsch (1:33:11) who did the swim in 2005.   Prinsloo is one of South Africa’s top distance freestylers and was recently second to his countryman Chad Ho at the MidMar Mile (the world’s largest open water swim).    Robben Island can be a very challenging crossing for even the most experienced open water swimmer given its strong variable currents and cold temperatures.   The reported temperature of Prinsloo’s crossing was 15 degrees celsius (59 degrees fahrenheit .   Prinsloo complete the record swim without a wetsuit.

TROY PRINSLOO SETS A NEW RECORD FOR ROBBEN ISLAND SWIM

South African Olympian Troyden Prinsloo has smashed the record for the icy 7.5km Atlantic crossing from Robben Island to Blouberg.

Prinsloo, wearing only a Speedo costume, cap and goggles, swam a time of 1:23:48 which is nine minutes faster than the previous record held by German elite swimmer Christof Wandratsch (1:33:11) set in 2005.

Prinsloo recently placed a close second behind four time winner Chad Ho at the world’s biggest open water swim, the Midmar Mile and has his sights set on the 10km race at the Rio Olympics in 2016. He placed 12th in the 10km at London 2012.

Seconded by world renowned, veteran cold water swimmer, Ram Barkai who has mentored him in coping with icy water, Prinsloo set off from Robben Island on Wednesday morning at a lighting pace.

He slowed down after 3km due to the impact of the cold water which averaged around 15◦C. “It looked like a record swim from the outset. But, Robben Island is a tricky crossing and the currents and the cold have broken many experienced swimmers,” said Barkai. “The final push came in the last 1.5km when I held aloft a white board stating: Record Time, GO, GO, GO!”

Troy squeezed a big grin, put his head down, and sped up. ‘What an awesome day for South Africa – the record is back in our hands thanks to Troy.” Barkai exclaimed.

Prinsloo said he was “over the moon.” “I’m very happy with this achievement. Conditions were good and I gave it my best. I want to thank everyone who assisted, particularly Speedo for backing me.”

Speedo SA’s brand president Stuart Hopwood said he was thrilled with Prinsloo’s record saying he was an inspiration. “We salute Troy for yet another great accomplishment and pledge our ongoing support to him and other South Africans who continue to push the envelope in world class fashion.”

“I’m very happy with this achievement. Conditions were good and I gave it my best. I want to thank everyone who assisted, particularly Speedo for backing me.”

2009 University of Georgia men's Swim Team

1,650 Freestyle

NCAA: 14:26.62 N 03/24/01 Chris Thompson Michigan

NCAA Meet: 14:26.62 M 03/24/01 Chris Thompson Michigan

American: 14:26.62 A 03/24/01 Chris Thompson Michigan

US Open: 14:26.62 O 03/24/01 Chris Thompson Michigan

    Name                 Year School               Seed     Finals Points 
=========================================================================
  1 Prinsloo, Troy            UGA              14:43.14   14:30.91   20  
    r:+0.73  24.54        50.64 (26.10)
        1:17.00 (26.36)     1:43.19 (26.19)
        2:09.47 (26.28)     2:35.71 (26.24)
        3:02.22 (26.51)     3:28.68 (26.46)
        3:55.20 (26.52)     4:21.72 (26.52)
        4:48.16 (26.44)     5:14.73 (26.57)
        5:41.41 (26.68)     6:08.01 (26.60)
        6:34.72 (26.71)     7:01.42 (26.70)
        7:28.06 (26.64)     7:54.61 (26.55)
        8:21.31 (26.70)     8:48.00 (26.69)
        9:14.49 (26.49)     9:41.06 (26.57)
       10:07.50 (26.44)    10:33.88 (26.38)
       11:00.14 (26.26)    11:26.65 (26.51)
       11:52.99 (26.34)    12:19.54 (26.55)
       12:45.83 (26.29)    13:12.19 (26.36)
       13:38.62 (26.43)    14:05.01 (26.39)    14:30.91 (25.90)

2009-2010 (Senior Season)
• Named the SEC Male Athlete of the Week on Nov. 4 based on his performance against Florida.
• Selected as a co-captain along with Hunter Lainhart.
• Named the recipient of the Damon Evans Swimming Scholarship Endowment.

2008-2009 (Junior Season)
• Won the national title in the 1,650 freestyle and came in fifth in the 500 freestyle at the NCAAs. • Came in ninth with the 800 freestyle relay at the NCAAs.
• Owns Georgia’s fastest 1,000 freestyle, second-fastest 500 and 1,650 freestyle, and 10th-fastest 400 individual medley times.
• Named First Team All-SEC after winning the 500 and 1,650 freestyle events at the SECs.
• Finished 10th in the 400 individual medley and swam with the seventh-place 800 freestyle relay team at the SECs.
• Chosen as the recipient of the Harvey Humphries Swimming and Diving Endowed Scholarship.

2007-2008 (Sophomore Season)
• Finished second in the 1,650 freestyle and fifth in the 500 freestyle at the NCAAs.
• Swam on the 800 freestyle and the 200 medley relays at the NCAAs.
• Named Second-Team All-SEC after finishing as the runner-up in the 500 and 1,650-yard free at the SEC.
• Placed 17th in the 200 freestyle at the SECs.

2006-2007 (Freshman Season)
• Did not compete due to NCAA international transfer regulations. High School
• Graduated from Kearsney College.

International

Springboks Murray McLachlan, coach Alex Bulley, Laura Ranwell and Aubrey Burer at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games.

Murray 'Tich' McLachlan was born in Johannesburg in 1941. He attendedcthe King Edward VII (KES) school in Johannesburg, and also Maritzburg College, before completing a BComm degree at the University of Natal between 1958 and 1960. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Wadham College in Oxford Univesity in 1961, where he completed a Masters degree in Jurisprudence. He next completed an MBA at Standford University in California.

Swimming for Natal at the 1956 South African Swimming Championships, Tich finished 4th in the 1650 freestyle. In 1957 he won the 1650 in 19:42,5, and he placed second in the 220 and 440-yard freestyle events. In 1958 he won the 440 and 1650, finishing in 18:58,0. In July 1958 he swam the 1650 in 18:19,2 at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, winning the bronze medal in the 1650-yard freestyle event. 

In 1959 at the SA Championships in Johannesburg, Tich won the 220, 440 and 1650 freestyle events. He repeated this in 1960 at Cape Town, where also won the 400 IM. In Kimberley in 1961 he again won those four events. He also finished 4th in the 100 freestyle and third in the 100 backstroke. 

Tich won 4 titles at the 1960 South African swimming championships. 

He swam at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games, where he competed in the 400 and 1500-metre freestyle events. He finished 6th in the final of both events. His time in the 1500 was 17:44,9 compared to his bronze medal-winning time at the Commonwealth Games of 18:19,2. Jon Konrads won that race in 17:45,4.

In 1961 Tich won the 1500m freestyle and came second in the 400m at the Universiade World Student Games in Bulgaria. At the 1963 Universiade in Brazil, Tich finished second in the 400m and third in the 1500m freestyle events.

While studying at Oxford Tich played water polo for the famous London Otters Club. After university, he moved to California where he continued to compete in Masters events. 

He married Judith Ray Sutton in 1971 and became a naturalized USA citizen in 1981.

Tich, based in California, competed in the South African National Masters freestyle events, winning the 400m
and taking second place in the 100m, 200m, and 800m in his age group.

From his LinkedIn page

Over thirty years of experience as a corporate officer with varied responsibilities and as a strategic, financial and industry consultant. Vice President Corporate Development and Board Secretary for TeraLogic for seven years. Prior to joining TeraLogic, established a management consulting practice for the electronics and semiconductor industries. Earlier, served as Vice President Corporate Development of LSI Logic Corporation for seven years and served on the Board of Directors of Nihon Semiconductor and LSI Logic KK. Earlier still, held senior management positions at Fairchild, including Vice President Strategic Planning, and General Manager of Asia.

1958 Empire and Commonwealth Games held in Cardiff: At the finish of the men's 1650-yard freestyle - Murray McLachlan (left) after finishing third behind Australians, Jon Konrads and Gary Winram.

Murray with Aubrey Burer at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. 

Coach Alex Bulley with Murray, Laura Ranwell and Aubrey Burer.

Terry was from Pretoria and swam for Northern Transvaal, where he was coached by Francis Horn. He was the only male swimmer selected to represent South Africa at the 1938 Empire and Commonwealth Games.

At the Games, the 110-yard freestyle results were:

1st Bob Pirie (CAN) - 59,6  2nd Terry Collard (SAF) 60,8 - 3rd William Fleming (AUS) 61,0

Molly Ryde and Terry Collard at the 1939 South African Championships

Sebastien Rousseau was born 10 September 1990 in Sandton, but he attended SACS and completed matric at Abbotts College in Cape Town, where he swam with coach Kalory von Törrös at the Vineyard Swimming Club. He won a scholarship to swim for the University of Florida.

In 2010 at the Commonwealth Games in India, Sebastien was a member of the South African medley relay team that won a silver medal, although he only swam in the heat, while Chad le Clos took his place to complete the butterfly leg in the final. Similarly, in the 4x200 freestyle relay which won bronze, Sebastien only swam in the heat. 

At the 2014 Commonwealth Games, he won individual bronze medals in the 400m individual medley and 200m butterfly. He also won bronze in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay and 4 × 100 m medley relay events.

Seb began swimming at age 9 and represented South Africa in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympics competitions.

His swimming career also included many other international competitions, including World Championships, where he finaled four times. To this day, Sebastien still holds the South African record in the 400-meter Individual Medley.

In 2010, he began his NCAA career at the University of Florida. During his time there, he helped their 4 x 200 freestyle relay win two first-place finishes at the NCAA Championships.

After the Rio Olympics in 2016, he retired from his athletic career and joined the workforce in Chicago.

Personal best times

5 August 2014 - Sebastian Rousseau, Rene Warnes and Chad le Clos at Seagulls SC.

During his time in South Africa, before he returns to complete his final semester in sports management in Florida, Sebastien Rousseau trained with the Seagulls Swimming Club.

At the Games he competed in and won bronze medals for the 200m individual butterfly, the 400m individual medley, the 4x200m freestyle relay and the 4x100m medley relay.

“The Seagulls have so many good swimmers in their team so they are great to train with when I am down in South Africa,” said Sebastien.

His short term goal is to compete in the World Short Course in December this year and is set to improve on his current times by reacting faster to how his competitors swim.

National/International Competition: Competed in the 2012 London Olympics as part of South Africa’s 800 free relay team that finished eighth… Is a two-time Olympic finalist and two-time World Championship finalist … He Owns South Africa’s 400 IM record of 4:11.11 … Held the South African 200-meter fly National Record (1:54.51) from when he competed at the 2009 FINA World Championships, and a part of the Nation’s record-holding 800 Free Relay Team that competed at the 2009 World Championships in Rome, Italy… Named the Male High Point of the 2013 US Open after going a perfect four-for-four in the 200 fly, 200 IM, 400 IM and 200 free … He Swam at the 2011 FINA World Championships, narrowly missing the finals of the 200 fly as he finished 17^th in 1:57.15 and part of the 800-meter freestyle relay team from south Africa that finished 12th… At the 2012 Durban South Africa National Aquatic Championships, finished third in the 200 free (1:48.69), second in the 200 fly (1:57.88), third in the 200 IM (2:00.37) and fourth in the 400 IM (4:17.83)… 2011 Telkom South Africa National Championships 200 fly (1:57.95) silver medalist… Won silver on South Africa’s 400-meter medley relay squad at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India… He also won a bronze on his country’s 800-meter free relay team at the same event… Swam personal-best times at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the 200 fly (1:57.45), 200 free (1:51.08), 200 IM (2:02.33) and 400 IM (4.29.07)… Times in the 200 fly (second) and 200 IM (eighth) are top-10 in school history… Competed at the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, Calif., finishing 14^th in the 200-meter fly (1:58.52) and 400-meter IM (4:29.07), as well as 17^th in the 200-meter IM (2:03.98) and 35^th in the 100-meter fly (54.88)… Competed at the 2008 Olympics as a member of the 800-meter free relay team that came in eighth.

At the University of Florida - Gainsville

14-time All-American Selection

2013-14:

Respected by his coaches and peers for leading by example and called one of the most consistent trainers to compete at Florida … Named the SEC Swimmer of the Meet and earned Florida’s 12^th Commissioner’s Trophy after scoring the most points at the 2014 SEC Championships … Registered a maximum three individual SEC titles after entering the meet without winning an individual title in his three previous seasons … Set the SEC record in the 200 butterfly in a time of 1:41.07 … Also touched first in the 200 freestyle and 200 individual medley … Part of UF’s school record setting and SEC Champion 800 free relay (6:13.03) … At NCAAs, finished eighth in the 200 fly (1:44.34) and ninth in the 400 IM (3:40.77) … Helped UF’s 800 free relay to a silver medal in a time of 6:14.74 … Picked up his first career 200 free relay All-American honor as part of a fifth place finish (1:16.98) … Part of UF’s school record 200 free relay team in prelims (1:16.52) … Won eleven individual events and competed on ten first place relays during dual meet and invitational season prior to SEC Championships … Swept four events at the 2013 U.S. Open and earned the Male High Point award for his performance … Collected SEC Athlete of the Week honors for the fourth time in his career for his performance versus Alabama after taking the 200 fly in a time of 1:45.71 … Named to 2014 SEC Academic Honor Roll.

2012-13: 2013 SEC Academic Honor Roll Selection… Earned his second NCAA Championship with the 800 free relay that finished in a school record 6:13.27… Totaled four All-America honors, with a fourth place finish in the 200 fly touching the wall in a personal-best 1:41.52 and posted another personal-best time of 4:15.31 to take eighth in the 500 free… Swam as part of the SEC Champion 800 free relay that combined for the third-best time in school history of 6:14.76...Recorded two second place finishes at the SEC Championships, as he took second in the 200 fly (1:42.18) and was second in the 200 free (1:34.02), also finished fourth in the 200 IM (1:43.58) setting another personal-best to earn four All-SEC honors...Swept the butterfly events as he took first in the 100 (48.74) and 200 fly (1:45.34) against Tennessee...Took second in the 200 free (1:37.91) and third in the 200 IM (1:49.70) against Auburn...Won all three individual events, 400 IM (3:42.91), 500 free (4:17.53) and 200 fly (1:43.45) at the SMU Classic to earn his third SEC Male Swimmer of the Week honor...Claimed the win in the 400 IM (3:41.69) and the 200 IM (1:44.02) setting a meet records in both, finished second in the 200 fly (1:43.01) and 11th in the 200 back (1:45.58) at the Ohio State Invitational, earned SEC Male Swimmer of the Week for the second time of the season...Won the 200 fly (1:47.13) and finished second in the 200 back (1:49.00) against in-state rival Florida State...Finished first in the 200 free posting a time of 1:37.39 and won the 100 breast with a time of 56.77, and added a second place finish in the 100 free (45.37) against Texas A&M...Grabbed a win in the 200 free stopping the clock in 1:37.72 and finished second in the 100 fly in 49.66 at South Carolina...Won a trio of events against Georgia, taking first in the 200 fly (1:45.73), 200 back (1:47.99) and 200 IM (1:48.45) to earn SEC Male Swimmer of the Week...Took first in the 500 free (4:25.47), 400 IM (3:51.15) and 200 fly (1:46.41), took second in the 200 back (1:47.43) and finished third in the 200 IM (1:50.37) and the 100 back (50.81) at the All-Florida Invitational… Helped lead the Gators to their 13th consecutive top-10 finish at the NCAA Championships, all under Head Coach Gregg Troy.

2011-12: Redshirted for the 2011-12 year and did not see any competition.

2010-11: Earned four All-America honors at the 2011 NCAA Championships, bringing his career total to six… Won his first NCAA Championship as part of the 800 free relay team, and finished seventh in both the 200 free and fly competitions. His 1:34.19 in the 200 fly at the NCAA Championships, is a personal-best time… Earned two All-SEC honors, bringing his career total to four… Broke both the SEC and school record as part of the 800 free relay squad at the 2011 conference championships… Took home bronze at the SEC Championships in the 200 fly, with a 1:42.80 mark that ranks fourth in school history, and also finished fourth in the 200 IM, touching in 1:44.50… Captured the 200 fly title against SEC foe Auburn, touching in 1:46.04… Swam the second leg of the first-place 800 FR at the SMU Classic, while also finishing third in the 400 IM (season-best, 3:52.98) and fourth in both the 200 fly and 500 free… Won the 400 IM with a 3:53.92 NCAA qualifying time against Georgia Tech… Against rival Florida State, won both the 200 fly and IM, and finished second in the 100 fly… Clinched dual victories against LSU in both the 200 (1:38.94) and 500 free (4:31.81), while also swimming the third leg of the first-place 400 MR… Helped lead head coach Gregg Troy to his 11^th consecutive top-10 finish at NCAA’s.

2009-10: Earned the first two All-America honors of his career at the 2010 NCAA Championships by placing sixth in the 200-yard fly and 12^th in the 400-yard IM… A two-time All-SEC selection as a member of the 800 free relay and 400 medley relay UF squads… A three-time freshman All-SEC selection as the highest freshman finisher in the 400 IM, 200 IM and 200 fly after finishing third in the 400 IM and fourth in the 200 IM and fly… Placed second in the 200 fly vs. Auburn (1:47.62)… Won the 200 fly (1:47.97) in his Orange and Blue debut in the win over FAU.

Sebastien Rousseau Florida wins the 800 free relay at the 2011 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships.

UP-CLOSE WITH SEBASTIEN ROUSSEAU

June 27, 2015

Today we are honoured to connect Up-Close with Sebastien Rousseau, one of SA’s finest exports, highly acclaimed for his performances in the swimming arena in and out of SA. He is currently living in the USA but proudly swims for SA at international meets.

Sebastien started dreaming big as a youngster of 8 years old when he told his dad that he wanted to compete in the Olympics one day. Destined and determined these words ended up exactly what he got! He is a 2x Olympic Champion, who was the youngest member on the team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, being a month shy of his 18th birthday at that time. He did brilliantly and went on to represent SA at the London Olympics 2012. Now his mind is firmly set on the Rio Olympics 2016. He is humbled each time “to wear the special SA cap with our flag and to swim for the people of South Africa”.

Since young Sebastien has been an SA and African record breaker. This shining young champion has taken centre stage for medals at many top world-class meets representing SA at World Champs, Commonwealth Games and others. He holds the Mail & Guardian’s prestigious title of 200 Young South Africans. This they award to the few who are “young, courageous, optimistic, and brimming with talent”. In the US he has become a swimming force to be reckoned with. He has done brilliantly on the collegiate swimming circuit in the US, and has earned the honorary title of “All-American”. He accredits his many victories to his dedicated couches – Gregg Troy (USA) and Graham Hill (RSA).

The words that come to mind when I think of Sebastien is “joyful sacrifice”. For a youngster to leave behind his precious family, friends and homeland to go and pursue his dreams show great character and strength in a man. I could see from the interview below that he has such a deep compassion and genuine love for SA and her people. Sometimes this wonderful “switch” within us is only turned on when we step out of our borders and experience the world at large.

INTERVIEW:

You are admired all around the world for your swimming achievements. How did Sebastien Rousseau start out in swimming, and how did he become such a SA Swimming brand and household name?

Swimming was just the sport that came to me most naturally, I have always felt peaceful being in the water. I played all the usual sports when I was growing up, but when I realized I could make a big push in swimming I had to give up those other sports and focus entirely on my swimming. The successes that I have had in swimming are due to the countless hours that I have put into the sport. No success comes without hard work, and I pride myself on being a dedicated athlete. I also have a great love for swimming which makes it a lot easier for me to go in every day and train for all those hours. It also helps that I hate to lose, which also drives me to push myself past any ‘boundaries’.

You are an Olympian, when you swam for your country, what did it feel like?

It was, and continues to be an amazing feeling. This is something I dreamt of as a young child, and now to be living my dream is better than anything I could have asked for. 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.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND. 26 July 2014. Commonwealth Games, swimming Day Three. Chad le Clos, gold medal and Sebastion Rousseau, bronze medal in the 100m fly.

You currently live in the US and graduated in Sports Management in 2014 – how did you experience that and what about SA did you miss the most?

It was a very exciting but also challenging experience, and one that I will always cherish because it has taught me so much about myself as a person, and an athlete. The people here at the University of Florida are now family to me. I have a great relationship with the coaches, which has made the experience truly amazing. I have also made friends with people from all over the world due to athletes coming from other countries to UF, and that has been invaluable to create memories with these people I now consider family. However in saying that, the aspect of SA that I miss the most is definitely my family. My family made many sacrifices for me to get to where I am today, and I know that without them I wouldn’t have reached my goals. Whenever I am home, I make sure to cherish my time with them as my family is important to me. I also miss the SA food, especially braais. Being from Cape Town, I also miss the countless beautiful beaches that we have within a 15-minute drive.

Do you have any specific regimens or rituals in swimming? Maybe a particular diet/training method that can be partially attributed to your success?

I think the lessons that I learnt as a young swimmer, swimming with some much older swimmers, in how you can push your body despite what your mind might want to tell you when you are tired, have played the biggest roles in my success. My coach takes care of the training program and I trust him fully with that and I just come to practice looking to take on the challenge of whatever workout he might have planned for me.

How did you manage to fit in both sports and academics into your schedule?

While I was still studying, it could get pretty hectic managing it all. However, we have a great structure here at the University of Florida to help athletes achieve in the classroom, which was a huge benefit to me. We were provided with tutors whenever we needed them and we had an academic advisor, who helped tremendously with the putting together of our schedules. Right now, I am solely focussed on my swimming, since I graduated in December 2014.

Besides your swimming what do you have a passion for?

I definitely have a passion for most sports, especially rugby which I had to give up once my swimming got serious. I still watch as much rugby as I can with the help of live-streaming sports websites. I also have a huge passion for travelling. Through swimming, I have been fortunate enough to travel the world and experience so many different cultures which I love. I want to continue travelling throughout my life and see as much of the world as I can.

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!

 Read the full article here