Xavier D’Souza from Vagator in
North Goa takes to the rigorous swimming training like a duck takes to water.
Swimming since the age of 9, every medal he wins, motivates him to practise
harder. Supported by his parents, Emillia De Sa and John Michael D’Souza, Xavier is currently training at
the Dolphin Aquatic Centre, J P Park in Bangalore. “I have come here for
advanced training as I will be competing against swimmers from across the
country,” says Xavier who will be representing Goa at the school level National
Games from December 14 to 20, 2014.
In Goa, Xavier’s daily routine
involves early morning swimming
practice, regular school and evening swimming practice which winds up at 8pm. “I crossed the Mandovi River with my classmates at
Stepping Stones Primary School, Britona. I finished second; though it was not a
race, I wanted to finish first. My mother noticed that I had this drive in me
so she enrolled me at the Campal Swimming Pool in Panjim under SAI Coach Thomas
Jose in June 2009. I enjoy being in the water. Earlier, height used to frighten
me but I am now comfortable,” says Xavier.
The first year of swimming, Xavier
won the State Aquatic Championships and continued to win in 2010, 2011, 2012
and 2013. He has also visited Bhopal, Bangalore, Indore, Rajkot and Pune for
the National Games besides participating in two National Games in Goa.
Currently
studying in class VIII at St Anthony’s High School, Monte de Guirim, he has
received great support from Principal, Fr Romeo Fernandes, even getting
permission to answer his exams when he returns in January after the school
Nationals. “It would not be possible to miss school and answer my exams but
thanks to Fr Romeo, I can focus on the sport and come back to answer my exams.
We have good swimmers in school too but the students are more interested in
football and cricket,” says Xavier. Besides swimming, Xavier also enjoys
playing football, cricket, tennis and shot put. Xavier’s siblings, Maria
Nacimenta and Augustine, are also into swimming.
Xavier has to be
fit to participate in the individual sport; no matter how well he is trained by
the coach, he has to put in 100 per cent of dedication and devotion to
swimming. “Hard work, total focus and training at the gym are very important. I
have to hit the gym to prepare my abdomen, arms and legs for swimming with
energy,” says Xavier whose strengths show in backstroke, breaststroke and
butterfly besides other forms of swimming.
Swimming has been an important
part of Xavier’s life for the last five years and with the support of his
family and coaches, he hopes to represent India and win a gold medal in swimming
at the Olympics.
