When Kingston Welsh takes to the water – his main focus is to “finish the race as fast as I can”.
The 16-year-old Hauraki Plains College swimmer told The Profile he calmed his body before each race to “get into the zone”.
“When I walk to the blocks, I start shaking my arms and jumping to get the blood flow working, which also hypes me up.”
It’s no wonder the young athlete made quite a splash at the school’s recent Splash Days swimming sports event when he broke not one or two, but nine records, alongside nine other record breakers.
He also smashed one of the oldest records held since 1979 by Rex Kelland, for the senior boys one length freestyle race.
Kingston topped Rex’s time of 15.10 with a new record of 14.56 and said “it was my goal” to break the 47-year-old record.
“I knew if I broke it that it would be my most proudest achievement,” Kingston said.
It should come as no surprise that freestyle was Kingston’s favourite stroke because he said it was his fastest.
The prodigy swimmer also broke the records for the one and two lengths butterfly, two and three lengths freestyle, one and two length backstroke, one length breaststroke and four length medley. He said he was proud to have his name “engraved in history” at the college.
The swim star and year-12 student always enjoyed the sport but said he slacked off and “lost a bit of interest” during training last October because his times weren’t improving.
The motivation to train came back in December as his “ultimate goal” was to make a podium placing at the upcoming 2026 Division II Swimming Competition in Dunedin from March 20-22, he said, where he hoped to come first overall in the freestyle event.
His swim journey started when he was seven years old, and later shifted into the competitive side of the sport as part of the Thames Swimming Club when he was 12.
“I love the camaraderie of the swim club team and talking to people, it’s such a nice family culture.
“We encourage each other to hit PB’s [personal bests],” he said.
His current focus and technique was to be more efficient and “explosive” in the water, he said.
But when it came to the people who inspired him to swim his heart out, it was his parents.
“I feel like they have put in huge time and sacrifices to get me and my sisters to where we are today.
“My dad trains me and my mum is always there to support,” he said.
His goals were to qualify to compete at the Brisbane 2032 Summer Olympics or to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games, he said.
Kingston knew he needed to push himself to reach his ambitions.
“I always think that you can’t waste time and must be active.
“If I don’t push myself one hundred per cent, I feel like I won’t achieve my future goals at upcoming events,” he said.
The accomplished athlete encouraged fellow swimmers to put in the effort.
“My advice to others is that Rome wasn’t built in one day, it takes consistent effort and time to achieve what you want,” he said.
“But if you put your mind to it, anything is achievable.”
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
