Hauraki Plains College student Rylee Sayer made her international debut with New Zealand’s national swimming team the Aquablacks at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore in September, and what a debut it was.
The seventeen-year-old competed in four individual events – the Women’s 50m Freestyle S7, Women’s 100m Freestyle S7, Women’s 100m Breaststroke SB7 and Women’s 50m Butterfly S7 – and came away with three top-eight finishes and two personal bests.
“[It felt] like a dream come true, it made all the hard work and sacrifices finally pay off,” Rylee said.
“I was super nervous in my first race.The call room was really intimidating as you are so close to some amazing athletes who are world record holders. [But] I placed sixth overall and it made me realise that I did deserve to be there and was competitive.”
The event came only 18 months after Rylee finished chemotherapy treatment for the cancer which claimed her right arm. But despite the fatigue of her health battles, Rylee kept pushing towards her goals.
Reaching the Para Swimming Championships was empowering not only for its place on the world stage, but also because Rylee was able to meet other athletes with challenges to overcome.
“There are so many disabilities there. Some of the S1 and S2 athletes are crazy – to see them swim is truly inspiring,” Rylee said.
“All these people I had looked up to over the years, and then I was having breakfast with them or sharing a lane in warm-up. It was a little surreal.
“[I feel like] I have found my people. To be surrounded by others who don’t notice disability was great.”
Rylee has also been named her school’s Sportsperson of the Year, an honour which she was surprised to receive.
“We have some really amazing athletes at Hauraki Plains College who have competed on the world stage too so I genuinely had no idea that it would be me,” Rylee said.
“There are lots of people here who are a big part of my journey so to be recognised in front of them was super special.”
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA and ALICE PARMINTER
