Jayden Sivai, 13, has eye on Olympics one day
Stirling High School grade 8 pupil Jayden Sivai,13, has been chosen for the SA national swimming squad.
Sivai’s proud mother, Maxine, said her son took part in the CANA 13th African Junior Swimming Championships in Tunisia in September last year.
“We got the notification on January 17 that Jayden would be getting his national colours. I am so happy for him,” she said.
Sivai is pretty quick in the water and makes sure to keep himself in top form with weekday swimming practices in the early evening, often giving up his school holidays to train and attend galas.
“I have motivation, passion and want to swim for as long as I can. I also have lots of friends that I swim with. I would love to reach the Olympics one day,” he said.
The youngster excels in breaststroke and often gets podium placing for his 100m and 50m races.
“I put no pressure on him or judge him. My role is to to support him, be his timekeeper, whatever he needs at the time.
“When he gets into race mode, you can’t even talk to him,” Maxine said.
Sivai started swimming in grade 3 with the Aquanova Aquatic Club while attending Cambridge Primary School.
As swimming is an expensive sport with lots of travel, funds can be a problem.
“I do raffles and other fundraisers, but he has such an enormous talent that I’d never say no,” Maxine said.
