- 2023 Highlights
Personal Statement
I’m not sure my parents knew what they were letting themselves in for when they took me to the local swimming pool to learn how to swim, as this quickly escalated from securing a 25m distance certificate into a time trial for the local swim squad.
I recall vividly jumping up and down at the age of 7 when my first swim coach asked my parents “Please bring Josef for a trial at 5am tomorrow, we think he has huge potential for the junior swim squad?” My parents on the other hand turned white knowing exactly what this meant, not just a new chapter in my life, but a new journey for them too (and no more lie-ins!).
From a young age I participated in as many sports as I could including football, rugby and tennis. From the ages of 10 – 14 years I trained hard at both swimming and rugby, and momentarily thought my sporting journey would direct me to elite rugby. A game that provided camaraderie, power, skill and commitment. I played to a high level as a member of the Varsity First Team at school, the local club (London Scottish) and ultimately Middlesex County trials.
However, swimming won my heart, body and mind. My heart; through the thrill of the cacophony of noise and breath of chlorine at a competitive swim meet, as your pulse quickens and butterflies flutter, there is nothing that compares to this thrill – still today as if it were the first time. My Body; I relish the commitment that hones strength, speed and the endorphin laced ache of a training set smashed. Finally the Mind; the skills learned for a lifetime – focus, time and goal management and the ability to thrive on pressure. This is what drives my swimming journey, as I continue to grow physically and my UK rankings continue to improve. I am a versatile swimmer across 50, 100, 200 and 400 for both back and free, and I am excited to discover which will ultimately be my best events in the next 4-5 years.
I have no crystal ball to see where swimming will take me. I train and strive to get better at every major competitive milestone, and I am humble in realising to become a world-class swimmer is tough. Others currently may be ahead, but I have the resilience to succeed, to challenge myself, to listen, learn and work hard, and in doing evolve my skill set. The UK has many high performing universities, but it’s the best-in-class coaching, facilities and busy schedule of competitive team events that motivates me to get a place at a US College.
I am excited by the life experience of studying in the US. The cultural growth mindset, and to push myself outside of my comfort zone across the Atlantic. Swimming is a great enabler, for my opportunity to swim in the US, but I also believe being part of a collaborative, committed squad will help me make the most of my time as a student athlete abroad.
Swimming requires a lot of commitment, dedication and compromises, but it’s worth it. I have a balance in my life of fulfilment through swimming, a drive to be better in the pool whilst also keeping on top of my studies. My recent GCSE results with a 4.0 GPA demonstrates I can balance my keenness to continue to learn whilst fulfilling my passion for swimming at club, school, regional and Swim England level.
Josef Adams
