We sat down with Hamilton Aquatics swimmer Irakli Bolkvadze to find out the highlights of fledgling career and why the London Olympics were so special.
Date of birth: December 12, 1994
Birthplace: Nicosia, Cyprus
Nationality: Georgia
City of residence: Dubai
Club: Hamilton Aquatics
Coach: Chris Tidey
Favourite stroke: Breaststroke
PB in your best swimming event: 2:15 in 200m breaststroke. I swam it at the Junior European Championships.
What led you to become a full-time swimmer? I was 10 years old when I started thinking of becoming professional, and at 12 I was Georgian champion. I went to my first World Championships in Shanghai at age 16 and it all kicked off from there.
Favourite swimmer: Ryan Lochte.
Inspiration/idol: My father, he’s my idol, my biggest supporter. He tries to attend all my competitions, he was at the Dubai Championships to cheer for me.
Nicest venue you’ve ever swum in: The Hamdan Sports Complex is a very good pool, but the one in Shanghai is best. I’ve swum in many pools, the one in Barcelona was amazing, London Olympics as well.
Career highlight/best achievement in the pool to date: London Olympics. I became the first ever swimmer from Georgia to qualify to the Olympics and I swam a new Georgian national record.
Toughest swim meet you’ve ever been part of: The 400m IM. I like swimming medley but it’s the hardest for me. But I swam it here in Dubai and I won the bronze.
Biggest dream/goal in swimming: To be an Olympic champion and world-record holder.
Short-term goals: I’m going to the European Championships in Berlin and my goal is to be in the semis.
Favourite meal: I love eating. I don’t have one favourite meal. But I miss very much Georgian food.
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach in Dubai.
Least favourite part of swimming practice: Easy, swimming.
Other sports or hobbies: I don’t do much besides swimming. When I’m not doing that, I like to hang out with my friends, with girls… normal stuff.
Coolest person you’ve ever met: Ryan Lochte. I saw him at the Olympics, in the food court in the Village, so I went up and talked to him and wished him luck. I told him ‘I want you to beat Michael Phelps’, and he did it.
Favourite sporting moment you’ve ever watched: Michael Phelps winning eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. It was unbelievable, winning eight golds in one competition. He’s a legend.
