Young swimmer overcomes ailment to break records

In only a year of competitive swimming, Monika Botha (7) has broken 28 records and collected 31 gold, one silver and two bronze medals. “I like to break records and I want to carry on breaking them,” said Monika.

Diagnosed as a light asthmatic last January, she often suffered from chronic pneumonia and her doctor recommended swimming.

“Monika did water safety at Landies Swim School in 2011 and at Toti Swim Club she learned to swim, but she got too sick, so we stopped the lessons,” said her parents Marinda and Jan, who were both prolific swimmers in their day.

She started learning strokes from Jan in their home pool from last February.

After battling to find a swim school, Monika trained with Learn to Swim instructor, Anita Schubach from last March to January this year and started entering galas. During this period, she scooped an amazing 17 gold medals, of which five were confirmed as new records, one silver in a girls eight years and under event and one bronze in a girls nine years and under event.

She received the best six and under swimmer trophy at Blue Oceans Aquatics Swim Club gala at Port Shepstone in November and the best seven-year-old swimmer trophy in February.

In three events in March, Monika scooped 15 gold medals and claimed 13 new records.

Unfortunately, with only two months before the new swimming season starts, Monika now finds herself without a club, coach or swimming pool. “Top SA coach, Jarrod Leach is currently providing us with a programme, which we have been following since beginning March at the saltwater pool at Toti main beach, since Monika has no coach,” said Marinda. “When possible, we go to the Kings Park pool on Fridays for her to get used to a 50m pool.

The young swimmer, who is home-schooled because of her earlier health problems, also does music at Kuswag.

“I get nervous every time before I race, but I get over it by winning,” said the young swimmer. “One day I want to swim for South Africa.”