Swimming to a new record and beyond (From News Shopper)

Swimming to a new record and beyond

2:59pm Tuesday 8th November 2005 in Sport By Tim Ashton

HE HAS size 13 feet, stands at six feet two inches tall, has just smashed a national swimming record and he is still only 15 years old.

Xavier Mohammed, of Woolacombe Road, Blackheath, is the new English schools 100m backstroke champion and record holder.

He beat all comers at the English Schools Championships at the Manchester Aquatic Centre and his time of 59.85secs, which beat the old record by half a second, means he is the first boy to swim the distance in under one minute.

The pupil at St Joseph's Academy, Lee Terrace, Blackheath, was swimming in the intermediate class but will make the step up to senior next year.

Xavier, who trains for two hours every morning, said: "It was nice to win and see all the effort I've put in come to something. It shows all the hard work is worthwhile."

While he is in the middle of his GCSEs it is a tough regime to train and get to school on time but his academic skills mean he is a well-organised pupil and he draws praise from the head of PE at St Joseph's, Gerry Franklin.

He said: "Xavier's swimming takes up so much of his time.

"He trains for two hours every morning and then comes in and does a full day's schooling which is very admirable."

Xavier is almost the proverbial water baby as his mother was a swimmer and would take him with her from the moment he could breathe.

He said: "Mum was never as serious about swimming as me but she took me to lessons. My physique means I am very suited to the backstroke and I hope to get stronger.

"I was part of the British Swimming Programme which went out to Majorca and concentrated on the backstroke.

"The training they give is very helpful."

Xavier, who cites Ian Thorpe who has size 17 feet Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz as his heroes, also won a silver medal in the 400m open freestyle event in Manchester.

About pressure during the race he said: "If you are a good swimmer, you swim your own race and never worry about what other people are doing.

"You can sense them coming alongside you and you'll race against them as it is very competitive but in general you swim as hard as you can or until you cannot feel your legs anymore."

Xavier was not the only Lewisham-based swimmer in Manchester. The 28-strong London team included seven other pupils including Nadina Cameron, from Prendergast School, Adelaide Avenue, Ladywell, and Zoe Nicholson, from St Dunstan's College, Stanstead Road, Catford.

Kristian Glenny and Charlie Carter from Haberdashers Askes, Jonathan Glenny and Gavin Toms from Forest Hill School, Dacres Road, Lewisham, and Stephanie Glenny from Sydenham School, Dartmouth Road, Lewisham, were also in the team.

Mayor of Lewisham Steve Bullock said: "It was a fantastic achievement for nine of the borough's young swimmers to be selected to represent London at the championship.

"Success on such a level is testament to the hard work, talent and dedication of our young people."