Bluff swimmer ready to take on world championships

FOR swimming champ Joshua Ashley, who recently learnt that he was selected to represent South Africa at the 20th World Aquatics  Championships, it is a dream come true.

However, he now has to raise more than R40 000, to attend the two week-long championships set to take place in Fukuoka, Japan, from July 14 to 30.

Ashley, 20, who resides on The Bluff, said he has started a BackaBuddy page, in hopes of raising the money.

“The largest mountain to climb now is to raise the money for the trip, which includes the flights and accommodation, among other requirements and needs. Trips like these are always a once in a lifetime experience, but they do come with a hefty price tag,” he said.

Ashley, who is part of Action Swim Academy, said the championships include all water sports such as pool and open water swimming, water polo, diving, and artistic swimming.

“Apart from the Olympics, this event is the next largest competition for athletes to prove themselves in their chosen field. Qualified athletes from around the world come together to be a part of this prestigious occasion, proving it to be one of the greatest meetings for all water sports athletes,” he said.

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Ashley said he was selected to participate in championships after winning third place in the Open Water National hosted by Swimming South Africa in Jeffery’s Bay recently.

“It is an opportunity for all South African open water athletes to show off their open water skills. One of the events was the 10km marathon swim, which was also an Aquatics World Championships qualifier. I participated in this event and finished third in the country, and received a bronze medal.

“Although the selections weren’t confirmed then, I recently received the news that my success from that race had earned me my invitation to compete in Japan. I will be representing South Africa and competing against athletes from more than 35 countries,” he said.

Ashley said upon hearing the news he felt a sense of relief and excitement that his dream had come true.

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“It was a better feeling when I let my family know the terrific news. However, the swimmers in these events are some of the best in the world, and though I don’t expect to win, I still believe that attending these events will greatly improve the experience I need to become that much of a better athlete, as experience is just as important as hard work,” he said.

Ashley, a second year bachelor in computer sciences and information technology student at the IIE Varsity College in Durban North, said he has loved being in water from a young age.

“I have always enjoyed being in water, whether it is at the beach or in my own swimming pool. I took swimming lessons until primary school and I was naturally good at competing in the annual galas. This gave my family the idea to send me to a competitive swimming club to further enhance my skills.

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“I was probably only around age 10 when I first started training with my competitive swimming club, which I am still with today. Being at an advanced swimming facility such as the Olympic size Kingspark pool, and training with some of the greatest in the world such as Chad Ho, the idea of swimming completely changed. I realised that this is a sport that I have a great passion for.

“I also think one of the greatest motivators that fueled my passion was how my coach, Alisdair Hatfield, and family, believed in me and my ability to do great things with my talent as long as I kept putting in the hard work at training,” he said.

Ashley added that his future goal was to pursue his academic dream of becoming a software developer, and continue swimming. “I will always have a passion for swimming, whether it is professionally or using it to keep fit and social, it will be a part of my life,” he said.

For more information or to donate, visit Ashley’s BackaBuddy page, https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/joshua-ashley or contact his mother, Heather Ashley on 084 2453683.

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