Saturday 20 / April / 2024
MUSCAT: Ivan Proskura, a former Olympic and Paralympic coach of Ukraine and USSR, who coached legends like Svitlana Bondarenko fondly known as ‘Queen of Breaststroke’ and Oleksii Fedina, the paralympic star, is now a much-in-demand coach in Oman.
“I have seen swimmers with great potential in this country, who can become top swimmers in the world, but it’s a combined effort of the coaches, parents, federations and most importantly the swimmers hard work to reach that Olympic standard,” said Ivan Proskura, Nautilus’ head coach.
Swimmers like K. S Pooja, Nandhitha Rajesh, Shipra, Hussaine Taha, Usama Taha and Abdul Rahman have immensely benefited by him through shaping their swimming career.
Pooja (17), is no doubt a swimmer with great confidence, she started off swimming as a physical fitness programme under an Omani coach. Soon she realised her potential and dream which sparked her liking towards choosing swimming on a competitive level.
When asked who is her idol she said “Most decorated Olympian Michael Phelps and Breaststroke specialist Rebecca Soni are her idols”.
Her most emotional moment was at the CBSE Nationals 2016 when she won her first ever medal, a bronze in 50m butterfly. From then on, there was no turning back.
Two years later at the Tamil Nadu State Meet, she won two silver medals in the 50m freestyle and fly and a bronze in 100m freestyle, qualifying her for the Junior Nationals which was held in India where she secured a 5th place in 50m freestyle. Pooja represented the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the relay team at the Nationals.
At the recently held CBSE Nationals, Pooja bagged a total of 7 medals, 2 golds in 50m breaststroke and fly, 2 silvers in 50m and 100m freestyle, 3 bronze in 200IM.
When asked about her parent’s role in her swimming career, she says with a smile “I’ve been waiting for this question. They are my backbone and my number one support”.
Her mom proudly adds, “When the child has a passion towards something, we give preference for that. Being a home maker, I can devote most of my time to see her passion grow.”
Hussaine Taha (10), a fierce competitor for a petit figure and a proud Omani won 4 gold medals at the Oman National Swimming Championship 2018. Taha then went on to win the trophy for second best swimmer in his age group in the GCC which was presented by Speedo Invitational UAE.
When asked about his record-breaking moment, he said, “I was able to swim less than 40 secs in 50m breaststroke” which proved to be the fastest in the Under-10 category.
“I have been with Nautilus for over a year now. I have got many opportunities to compete, learning new techniques and being able to swim faster. Thanks to my coaches Ivan Proskura and Irina Samakar.” adds Hussaine.
His most recent achievements were at the Middle East Open and Junior Championship 2019, where he won gold in 50m and 2 silver in 100m breast and 200IM.
Usama Taha (12) Hussaine’s elder sibling is a swimmer himself and has had a great influence on brother. Usama has won 5 gold medals at the Oman National Swimming Championship in 2018. The Omani brothers have trained for three years with the Oman National Swimming team before joining Nautilus.
Shipra (13) who took up swimming as a hobby, is now a force to reckon with. At the CBSE Nationals held at Ranchi, India Shipra bagged 4 gold medals in the 200IM and 100m backstroke. She continued her blistering performance by finishing 4th in both 100m and 200m backstroke at the Karnataka Short Course Swimming Championship.
“I aim to better my personal best every time I compete”, said Shipra.
“I am blessed to receive such support from my parents and coaches she adds”.
Nautilus is very proud to have such dedicated swimmer/parent duo on board alongside great Olympic coaches to see promising results in every meet Nautilus participates.
Nandhitha Rajesh (12) who joined competitive swimming a year back is steadily making waves by winning medals and constantly improving her personal best.
This year began well for Nandhitha when he won 2 silver medals in 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke and a bronze medal in 100m backstroke at the Tamil Nadu State Meet. Adding to that, she bagged 2 gold medals at the British School Muscat Swim Meet in 50m and 100m breaststroke.
“My biggest moment came when I won my first medal at the CBSE Clusters held in Muscat in 2017, and I must thank my parents who have been my greatest source of encouragement and support,” she said.
Abdul Rahman, (13), began swimming at the age of 9 with the Sultan’s School swim team, then in April 2016 he joined Nautilus where he dreams of becoming one of the top swimmers in the region.
His achievements in the Hamilton Aquatic Development Series has been exceptional, when he won a silver in 50m fly and bronze in 50m breaststroke.
At the Nautilus Annual Swim Meet 2017, he won 2 silver medals in 50m breaststroke and 50 fly, and a bronze medal in 100 breaststroke.
At the First Swimming Championship Muscat Age Group 2018, he bagged 2 silver medals in 50m breaststroke and fly and a bronze in 200IM.
He awarded ‘The Swimmer of the Year 2018’ at the Sultan’s School, where he studies.
