Horowhenua Chronicle 20-11-13 by Local Newspapers

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Horowhenua Chronicle

New coach making a big splash By TANYA WOOD

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NEW FACE: Romanian Albert Szilagyi is the new coach at the Levin Swimming Club. their eyes they are happy.’’ The Levin Swimming Club caters for children of all ages and president Roland Huria says Albert brings a lot of fun to training sessions. ‘‘Kids have got to want to swim and enjoy it, and I see a lot more smiles on faces and definite improvements. ‘‘We are always looking for new swimmers who want to be competitive but also enjoy the sport.’’ The Levin club has produced a number

of national and international swimmers in its 101 years, including Olympians Dean and Steven Kent, 1980s Commonwealth Games rep, Pamela Croad, and Lesley Parkin, national swimmer in the 1960s and later club coach. Albert believes the club already has a handful of swimmers with the talent and potential to make it to national level, but says swimming is a long-term investment. ‘‘We are hoping to get more community involvement and sponsorship so our kids

can compete at more regional and national events.’’ Levin Swimming Club is holding an open club night with competition races, sausage sizzle and spot prizes on Friday, from 5.30pm, at the Levin Aquatic Centre for club members and any children interested in having a go and finding out more about the club. Friends and parents are also welcome to join the fun and support the swimmers. Entry by gold coin or $5 per family.

Luke doubles up on silver at world champs By TANYA WOOD Sixteen-year-old Levin student Luke Cherrington kicked his way to two silver medals in his first Taekwondo World Champs last month. Luke was part of a 40-plus strong national team, including seniors, that competed against 51 other countries in Spain from October 23 to 27. The Waiopehu College student, now 17, helped fellow teammates to second place in two junior team events — the power test (breaking through boards) and special technique (jump kicks) — against eventual winners Poland and third placed Argentina. Luke also competed in the individual junior sparring and power testing events but was not placed. He said the power test and special technique events are his specialty, describing the championships not so much as tough but ‘‘just more of a challenge compared to national competitions’’. ‘‘It was a good experience LVN201113splworldchamps though. I didn’t find it too nerve-wracking, I was only SILVER SUCCESS: Luke Cherrington kicked his worried if I stuffed my way to two silver medals in the team events at the technique that I’d be letting Taekwondo World Champs in Spain last month. the team down and whole kicking since he was four years old and country down.’’ says the martial art is simply part of his Pre-competition training involved one life and ‘‘just what I do’’. weekend a month at an Auckland training ‘‘Going for gold in the world champs is camp for about a year, and fundraising by the next step,’’ he said. the Ohau club where Luke trains and is The New Zealand team took third place now assistant coach, helped towards all his on the overall medal table behind Poland travel costs. and Ireland, with eight gold, seven silver A national under-18 Grand Champion and 11 bronze medals. in 2001, Luke has been sparring and

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When Albert Szilagyi says he graduated from Transylvania University it generally raises a smile. No garlic or stakes in sight, Levin’s new swimming coach comes armed only with a bachelor of swimming and basketball, five years’ experience in Romania coaching swimmers to national level and a year’s swim coaching in Te Awamutu, in 2007. Lured back to New Zealand by its sporting lifestyle, friendly people, community spirit and large number of swimming clubs, Albert took over as head coach of the Levin Swimming Club in June this year. He says swimming is a long-term sport.‘‘You can’t expect to be a champion without a good training background from an early age, about seven or eight, up to 14 or 15. Younger swimmers have aerobic and endurance stamina but not the strength in their arms for building up speed until they get older. ‘‘To reach the top levels in swimming you need to start slow, slow in the first few years, and gradually progress until about 12 or 13 years of age when you can start to really build up the speed.’’ The 30-year-old, who also plays for a Levin basketball team, believes he brings different training skills learned in Europe. ‘‘Swimming is not just in the water. If you see how Olympic swimmers prepare, a lot of training is outside the water, including stretching, land-based training and mental preparation.’’ In just six months, Albert says he has already seen an improvement in his students’ focus. ‘‘My belief is that if you don’t focus your mind on what you need to do, your body won’t work. I like to explain to my students why they need to concentrate on certain things and how it will benefit them.’’ What motivates him is seeing students achieving their goals. ‘‘That’s the most wonderful feeling when you can see in