Paralympics star is like a fish out of water
Paralympic gold medal winning swimmer Tupou Neiufi has been taking multiple showers and baths each day just to feel the water as she copes with a lack of pool training.
Neiufi won New Zealand’s first gold medal of the Tokyo Paralympics in August, claiming the S8 100m backstroke title. Unfortunately, the 20-year-old hasn’t managed to get back into the pool since her return.
She got out of MIQ on September 19 and because Auckland was in lockdown decided to move back in with her family in Ma¯ ngere.
She had been flatting near her training base in Pukekohe.
‘‘It’s been crazy I’ve been itching to get back into training, it’s been so long,’’ Neiufi said.
‘‘I’ve been taking multiple baths and showers in a day just to be able to feel the water.’’
With her success in Tokyo she admits there wasn’t much discussion needed with her coach Sheldon Kemp to carry on and aim for next year’s World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
‘‘He said ‘are you keen for next year?’ and I said ‘yep’.’’
Neiufi won silver at the 2019 World Championships and her specialist event has been selected for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
However that seems a long way off especially as all she’s been able to do at home is a few walks and some weight training.
Neiufi was hit by a car when she was just two which resulted in a left sided hemiplegia, meaning she has paralysis on the left side of her body.
She tried other sports, but struggled to keep up and was persuaded to try swimming and was first identified by Paralympics New Zealand in 2011 as part of the Para Swimming Talent Identification programme.
She can’t wait for Auckland to drop to a lower Covid level so that she can get back into the pool.
‘‘I miss the pool a lot, more than usual, this is the longest I haven’t swum, but I’m trying to keep positive and hoping for the best.’’ – RNZ