‘I never thought I would become a swimmer in my life. My mother forced me to go for swimming practices in school. Now I am here, thanks to my mother. Hoping achieve a lot more.’ were Jaffer’s opening lines to ThePapare.com as we sat down to discuss his latest triumphs.
Breaking back to back swimming records, in the recently concluded All-island inter-schools Swimming Championships, Royal’s Yahiya Jaffer is swimmings’ latest sensation. Yahiya broke the record in the 100M breast stroke event and was also awarded Best swimmer Boys in the under 19 category at the event.
Tell us about your introduction to swimming?
When I was 8 years old, my mom compelled me to go for swimming. One day finally I decided to go but that was for a inter house meet. My first competitive school meet was the novices swimming championship which was held at Sugathadasa Swimming Complex. I came the 1st in 50 Meter breast stroke event. To be honest I didn’t like swimming at all during the first few years. Waking up at 4.00 AM every morning was a real hassle to me back then when I was small and parents had to drop me every day at the college pool. But my parents kept pushing me, especially my mom helped me a lot in swimming.
How did your school support you?
School made sure we got the best trainers throughout our swimming career. Even the coaches we had they always gave their best to make us the 1st in every meet we participated. Facilities-wise too we had the best.
Could you share national level experience with us?
I’ve represented Sri Lanka many times in many different countries. The experience I gained from all these tours cannot be put into words. When representing your country, you form a different kind of love for the sport. Where ever I go, I learn from the people I meet. Which is a great plus point for me. It’s not about just participating, it’s about learning and improvising. In that case, all my tours have helped me. I started representing Sri Lanka in 2010, and my first tour was to Bangkok, then India in 2011, Dubai in 2012 and Macau in 2013.
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How does it feel to be awarded the All Island best swimmer in the under 19 category?
The happiness I felt when winning the best swimmer award in my last year of college was truly great. It feels amazing to be reawarded for all the hours of hardwork, dedication and for what I went through in order to bring glory to my college. Thanks to the almighty and everyone else who helped me to reach such success.
You broke the existing record in the breaststroke event. Tell us about it.
The previous record was 1.11.70 set by Amila Perera. I think my hard work gave me results and I feel special to hold a record of 1.11.52 in the breast stroke event in 100M. It could be broken by another talented swimmer in future, but I am happy that I overcame a record and my name will be written in till it is broken by another swimmer.
Except for swimming, you play Water Polo and Football. How do you manage all these with studies?
When it comes to sports and studies, it’s all about being organized and well planned. As a sportsman, you should be able to balance everything out equally. There were some days where I used to swim in the morning, go to school, Football practices in the afternoon and then Water Polo practices in the evening. As long as you manage to allocate enough time for everything you can be successful. Doing three sports and still keeping up with your studies is possible.
If you had to choose one sports out of Swimming, Water polo and Football to play in an international level. Which sport would you choose?
Even though I am a swimmer, I would choose Football. I have been watching football since small days and started to play couple of years ago. I luckily got selected to the 1st XI team which was also another achievement for me. Water polo and Swimming are a bit similar when we compare with Football. Keeping up with the Football team while doing other sports was a bit hard to me. When I see players like Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar, the love towards the sport is increasing day by day. So I would choose Football.
The best achievement you have made so far in swimming?
Representing Sri Lanka in the Asian Swimming Championship which was held in Dubai, UAE in 2012. Now it is this. The award I got in the recently concluded All Island Schools Aquatic Championship.
Tell us about your future plans in swimming?
I’ll keep doing my best in every event I participate in future. My ultimate goal is to represent my country in world games and Olympic games. So I’ll be training my level best with the help of all my trainers to reach my target someday.
Do you have any role model?
Yes I do. Just like everyone else. My role model is none other than Heshan Unamboowe. A Former Trinitian who took Sri Lankan swimming to another level. I appreciate what he has done for swimming and I follow his footsteps.
What do you think about the schools swimming standard in this country?
Up to a certain level it is good, but it has to improve a lot in every aspect. Especially coaching-wise. There are talented swimmers who haven’t got a chance to prove themselves. These students should be handpicked and given special attention and training. After all if they succeed and participate in world games it’s going to be a pride for our motherland.
What advice would you give an upcoming swimmer?
Have a target before you compete in an event. Make sure you practice very well to achieve that target. Swimming is an individual game. So have your own record in every event and promise yourself you will break your own record in every event you take part. In that way you automatically push your boundaries. Most importantly staying healthy plays a huge role in swimming. Unhealthy food and unwanted drugs will not only ruin your career but also your life.
Anyone you would like to thank?
Firstly I would like to thank Almighty Allah for giving me such a wonderful gift. Then my parents who have been helping me a lot from the very first day I entered this world. The reason behind my success, my mother and my father. If not for them I wouldn’t have been here. Lastly I would like to thank my trainers, My 1st coach when I was in the junior team, L.K. Jayasekara, Julian Bolling who was also one of my past coaches, my Water polo coaches and to all the friends and family members who have been through my good times and my bad times.
ThePapare.com would like to thank Yahiya Jaffer for sharing his experience and wish him well.
