Swimmer grateful to be on path for Tokyo
Paralympic swimmer Tupou Neiufi says the support of the ANZ Paralympic Pathways programme has been vital as she builds towards the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics in Japan.
The 18-year-old is aiming for selection and targeting a medal in her specialist event, after making strong progress in recent years.
It has meant making all kinds of sacrifices.
As an example, Neiufi decided to leave Otahuhu College at the start of 2019 — foregoing her Year 12 study — to focus on her Paralympic dream.
She has a huge training load, with up to nine two-hour sessions per week in the pool. Neiufi also does two gym sessions a week, as well as boxing and spin classes.
All that dedication and commitment has paid off, as Neiufi achieved a stunning silver medal at the world championships in London in September in the women’s s8 100m backstroke.
She set an Oceania record in the heats, before a brilliant swim in the final to place second and seal a spot for New Zealand at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Neiufi also finished eighth in the S8 50m freestyle final.
It shows she is on track for success next year but it hasn’t been easy. Neiufi comes from a humble background, and a family of seven children, so the support provided by the ANZ Paralympic Pathways — through financial assistance and practical skills and training — has been invaluable.
“It’s about achieving things inside and outside the pool,” said Neiufi. “It’s about being able to get myself ready for Tokyo, to medal on the podium, and to get my mind space into the right space.”
Neiufi has hemiplegia — paralysis on one side of her body — and a traumatic brain injury after she was struck by a speeding car as a 2-year-old.
The left side of her body is weaker and smaller than her right, and the damage to her brain means she can tire quickly.
It’s more evidence of the courage and dedication of Neiufi, as her training load has to be managed carefully.
Neiufi was introduced to swimming at the age of eight. She progressed steadily and placed seventh in the S9 100m backstroke at the 2016 Rio Olympics and sixth at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.