From zero to hero in a year
AFTER being made “water safe” in grade one, Kairav Mahabeer had no thought of taking up swimming competitively... until an announcement was made last year at his school’s assembly asking pupils who wanted to swim competitively to stay behind.
The Effingham Secondary Grade 10 pupil said the first thought that came to him was where they would train since his school did not have a pool.
“The teacher told us he would take us to the neighbouring Firwood Road community pool. However, before we could go for our first lesson, he was transferred to another school. After speaking to my parents, the principal offered to take me to my first gala.
“Without any training, I registered for the 50m freestyle event and finished second last in a time of 33 seconds. I then asked my parents to enrol me in a swimming club.
“After a few lessons, I began to improve and chopped two seconds of my time in my next 50m freestyle event. About two months later, I shaved a further two seconds off my time and qualified for Level 1.”
Kairav managed to trim a further two seconds at a gala in February this year and achieve KZN colours. At the gala he took part in 11 races and won two gold, five silver and four bronze medals.
This achievement in just a year earns Kairav the title of POST/SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month. He wins a hamper from the sponsors and will now go through as the March finalist for the Sports Star of the Year competition which will be decided at the end of the year.
* Do you have what it takes to become the POST/ SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month? We are looking for talented schoolchildren between 7 and 18 who excel in sport at school, provincial or national level.
E-mail your nomination to: info@media-link. co.za or fax 086 586 9277.