We catch up with Mohammed Madwa, the 27-year-old swimmer from Kuwait to find out about his hopes of qualifying for the Rio Olympics in 2016 and much, much more.
Date of birth: February, 10, 1987
Birthplace: Kuwait City
Nationality: Kuwait
City of residence: Dubai
Club: Hamilton Aquatics
Coach: Chris Tidey
Favourite stroke: Freestyle PB in your best swimming event: 50m freestyle – 22.87 seconds
How did you initially get into swimming? My mother always wanted me to swim on behalf of her, so I made sure to fulfil the legacy.
Favourite swimmer: Michael Phelps. I’m very excited to see what’s going to happen now that’s he’s returned to swimming.
Inspiration/idol: Nick Brunelli. He’s a former US 50m freestyle record holder. He’s the one who transformed from a regular swimmer to an Olympic swimmer. He was the only swimmer who yelled at me daily in practice when I was in Arizona State University.
Nicest venue you’ve ever swum in: Hamdan Sports Complex, definitely.
Career highlight/best achievement in the pool to date: Clocking 23.30 seconds in the 50m freestyle in the World Championships in Barcelona last year. That was my best prior to moving to Dubai.
Toughest swim meet you’ve ever been part of: The Hamilton Aquatics swim meets are tough for me because Chris Tidey makes me swim everything.
Biggest dream/goal in swimming: Qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics. I’m very close, I’m only 0.40 seconds away in the 50m free.
Short term goals in swimming: Becoming a finalist in the Asian Games this September in Incheon.
Favourite meal: Chicken parmesan pasta
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The Citywalk mall in Dubai
Least favourite part of swimming practice: Every Thursday because it’s three hours training plus dry land plus running – it kills me pretty much.
Other sports or hobbies: I like bowling.
Coolest person you’ve ever met: Velimir Stjepanovic. He makes me laugh on a daily basis.
Favourite sporting moment you’ve ever watched: Definitely the Super Bowl. I’m an Arizona fan, so I remember the one between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cardinals in 2009 (Pittsburgh won 27-23).
