This is my best year - Gordon-Somers

Burger King-Popeyes-YMCA Prep and Primary Schools Swim Meet standout Nikolos Gordon-Somers, who eclipsed four individual records last weekend, said he wants to continue winning and, hopefully, represent Jamaica at the Olympics.

The Liberty Academy Prep student returned to the National Aquatics Centre in imperious form, following on his Carifta Swimming Championships Boys' Under-12 4x50m relay silver medal in The Bahamas recently.

The 12-year-old was one of few prep school students named to that team.

"I have been swimming for four years, and I have been experiencing a lot of hard competition. I guess that pushed me to swim much faster this meet," he said.

"I could get much better. The breaststroke is my favourite stroke and so I tried going even harder on that one. I just want to keep on making Carifta teams and hope to go to the Olympics and represent Jamaica," the youngster told The Gleaner.

RECORDS

Gordon-Somers' records last Saturday include the boys' age 10-12 100m freestyle in a time of 1:05.72 seconds, the boys' 11-12 50m butterfly in 32.27 seconds, the 11-12 50m freestyle in 28.59 seconds, and the 50m breaststroke in a fast 36.31, bettering the old mark of 38.48 seconds.

"I felt like I represented my school very well by breaking a lot of records and getting five gold medals. It is my best year in swimming so far, and I am happy I broke those records well," continued the youngster.

Gordon-Somers learnt to swim at age seven via the Swim Jamaica programme, and while excelling within just a year at all seven levels, he was encouraged by the coaches to compete at the club level.

Meanwhile, parents Michele and Nigel Gordon-Somers said they were extremely proud of their son, who sacrifices long hours, and trains very hard.

According to his mother, "He loves the sport, and loves to push himself to do well, and I am happy to see him reach this far," adding he has had very good coaches.

Meanwhile, his father said he will continue to support his son every step of the way.

"We are here with him at pretty much all training sessions, sometimes as early as 4:30 a.m. He, which we are thankful for, wants to go to the Olympics and we want to support him every step of the way," said Mr Gordon-Somers proudly.