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Paula van Zyl swims her way to victory
Walking up to the pool, a sense of calm fills her. The deafening cheers of the crowd, nothing but vague background noise. She fades into a world where it is only her and the water.
The sign is given, Paula van Zyl dives into the pool. Fuelled by an unyielding passion for swimming, Paula gives it her all. Victory is hers.
Paula recently participated in the Kenyan Open and Para Swimming Championships. Taking place from February 8 to February 11, Paula secured five medals. She received a silver for the 50 metre Freestyle division. A gold for the 200-metre individual medley, which involves butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle. As well as gold medals for the 100-metre backstroke, 100 metre breaststroke and 100 metre freestyle. Truly impressive!!
Beaming with pride, Paula says this is the first step in achieving her dream of participating in the Paralympics in 2020.
“To be classified internationally, it was a pre-requisite that I take part in an event where I can be observed on an international level, which is why I took part in the 2018 Kenya National Swimming Championships,” she explained.
As an avid swimmer, Paula is ecstatic about her results. “Now, having gone through the experience and being internationally recognised, I can take part in international events,” she beamed. But, the event which she is truly setting her sights on, is the Paralympics. The event will take place in Japan in 2020 and will showcase the best of the best.
Having brought four gold medals and a silver medal home from an international acclaimed event, if Paula takes part in the event, she will be bringing home further glory to the town of Newcastle.
“I want to take part in the Paralympics because it will be a great experience for me. It will also give me the opportunity to represent my country at an international level.”
The 15-year-old swimmer first took to swimming four years ago, when her brother, Erich, approached one of their school teachers at St Dominics Newcastle. “One of our teachers qualified as a coach. My brother was speaking to her and we decided to give swimming a try,” she said.
Amy Fraser, her coach and a teacher at St Dominics Newcastle, claims Paula is doing exceptionally well.
“It is really a passion for her now. More so than in the beginning, when she did it more for fun. Paula has become competitive and I am extremely proud of her.”
Setting her sights on the Paralympics, Paula believes she is doing well because she truly enjoys the sport. “I love everything about swimming. I want to go as far as possible with it,” she said.
With a natural kinship with water, true talent and continuous practice, Paula is sure to leave her mark in the sporting world. Congratulations Paula van Zyl, your fellow Newcastillians are cheering for you!
