I used to wake up in the morning at 4.30 am and at 5 I
already jump in to the water, to practice. Not to forget after school I need to
go to swimming pool as fast as I can until 8 pm. Yes, I used to be a swimming
athlete since when I was 9 until 14 years old. I started to swim when I was 4
years old with my sister and we compete together in swimming pool. My childhood
was all about swimming. I remember where ever I go for holiday; the only one that
matter for me is the hotel or resort need to have a swimming pool and having a
new swimming suit makes me happier than a pair of shoes. I took
to swimming like I took to eating: with a sort of relaxed devotion, as if it
was my birthright to be in a swimsuit at all times.
I was, in fact, so relaxed about
competitive swimming that I never had the intense discipline to become a really
fast swimmer as a kid. But being on the team did mean that I got to be in the
water and hang out near the pool every single day, which was exactly where I
wanted to be. Being
an athlete was the best decision I have ever made. I was lucky to have parents
who supported me financially, physically and of course mentally. The first team
that I joined named Sura Club and its vision is “di Air Kita Jaya” the coach who
happens to be my mother’s friend. He is the one who introduce me with water no
doubt that I loved it! After that I joined KONI (Komite Olahraga Nasional
Indonesia) PRSI (Persatuan Renang Seluruh Indonesia) east java
region and I got professional coaches from government.
My highest achievement is when I became top 10 ranks
in east java region. That is why my junior high school has received me without taking a test at all. When I was 14, I
decided to quit from being an athlete because I need to focus to my study. No
doubt that I spent a lot of time in swimming. And I saw myself not to be an
athlete in the future for a professional carrier. But still, I have no regret at
all. I was lucky to have an opportunity to be an athlete. I was taught about what
sportivity is, and having a mentally strong every time I won or lose.
