Uveer inspired by Chad Le Clos to reach for Olympic dream

CHAD Le Clos is undoubtedly the golden boy of South African swimming at present and young Clare Estate swimmer Uveer Jaganath hopes to emulate the double Olympic gold medallist’s achievements someday.

Twelve-year-old Uveer is certainly striding in the right direction in terms of achieving that ideal, like Le Clos, he also excels in the breaststroke. At the recent Prestige Championships held at the Kings Park swimming pool, the Grade 7 Pitlochry Senior Primary pupil clocked a Level 3 time in the 100m breaststroke final.

That effort has earned Uveer entry into the Level 3 National Championship in March (2014). The event is the highest level of participation for age group swimmers in the country. “I'm very happy and excited with my performance in the 100m breast final,” said Uveer.

“I want to swim at the Olympics someday and win medals like Le Clos. Swimming in the Level 3 championship will help me get there,” he said.

Uveer's achievement at Kings Park also has historical significance for his club Otto Aquatics. The last time a Otto swimmer posted a Level 3 time at a gala, was more than 10 years ago. That swimmer (Suvir Satyendra) is one Uveer's current coaches.

The youngster was motivated to start swimming just before his family could set sail on a luxury cruise to Mozambique in 2009.

“We were going on a cruise so I decided to become 'water safe',” said Uveer. He joined Otto that year and in 2010, he swam in his first competitive gala.

Swimming in a Level 0 competition, Uveer was voted the best performer from among all the participants swimming for communitybased clubs.

He achieved level 1 times in three events during the gala. At the Level 1 gala held in Newcastle in 2011, Uveer made three finals.

In March, at the Level 2 Championships hosted in Kimberley, he qualified to swim in nine events.

Uveer made five finals and achieved bronze medal finishes in the 100 and 200m breaststroke events.

“I swim all four strokes and spend the same amount of time practising each stroke but the breast is my favourite,” said Uveer. “I spend two hours, every day of the week, training with my coaches (Satyendra, Devesh Lutchman and Param Naidoo).

“I love being in the water but I've learnt to plan my day so that I can also perform at school.