Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
A 12-year-old swimming sensation has set his sights on the 2032 Olympics after winning 17 gold medals at a single State championship.
Blake Martin won every every single race he entered at the event.
Blake’s effort was made even more impressive in that he achieved the feat after breaking two bones months before in a school sport carnival accident.
The Newman Churchlands Swimming Club member entered 17 events at the SwimTek Western Australian junior short course championships at Perth High Performance Centre in Mt Claremont in mid-September and won them all.
The unbelievable result came after a difficult year for the Aquinas College student, who suffered a broken left arm and right shoulder during a high jump event at a school sporting carnival last year. The carnival was not held at Aquinas College.
His parents Dean and Leah said Blake was initially focused on recovery, but was “devastated” when he realised he would no longer be able to swim in the national schools competition.
“But Blake being Blake, he wanted to attend the training sessions at the pool to support his teammates. His bravery impressed us,” they said.
“Blake worked harder than ever before to set himself a training regime that astounded everyone.
“Blake with great measure and confidence entered every event to do his best. Needless to say, his success was outstanding.“
His parents said they were “shocked by the extent of his injuries” and their priority post-injury was to alleviate his pain and treat them.
“It wasn’t ‘til the following week that concerns for his mental health became apparent as he was incapacitated with reliance on others to do everything for him,” they said.
After 12 weeks, he returned to the pool for modified training under the guidance of coach Newman Churchlands Swimming Club development coach Davide Cappati, while also working alongside a physiotherapist.
Mr Cappati said Blake’s training was adapted as he continued to build strength.
“Basically, we had to customise the training; working at the beginning, we had to work a lot on his legs,” he said.
Mr Cappati said Blake’s determination had stood out throughout his recovery.
“Blake is one of the most determined kids in terms of willing to train, willing to improve,” he said.
“He is so dedicated to the sport. He loves the sport.”
Blake trains five times a week and spends about 10 hours in the pool with Mr Cappati.
He said Blake was always constantly finding ways to improve.
“He is one of the few kids who comes to me and say ‘Hey, did I do this right? Or did I improve that?’,” Mr Cappati said.
“When I tell him something and I give him a coaching cue, he says ‘Ah, did I do this better?’.”
Mr Cappati said Blake had made significant progress in breaststroke, despite almost having no experience in the stroke when he joined the club.
“We had to build from zero, and I am proud on that, because now we are getting the reward on the job we put together,” he said.
He said Blake had gone from not having qualifying times in the stroke to becoming the “best” 12 to 13-year-old breaststroker in WA.
His September success followed another impressive effort by the Aquinas College student when he also took home 10 gold medals at the WA Junior Championships.
Now Blake is preparing for his first major national competition as a 13-year-old.
Mr Cappati said the pair had began planning for next year’s Australian Age Championships in April at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre.
But beyond the immediate goal of national competition, Blake has an even bigger dream.
His father said he hopes to represent Australia at the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.
“His hope and dream is to try and make it to the 2032 Olympics representing Australia,” Mr Martin said.
Mr Cappati said there was no need to put the pressure on him, but believed Blake had the mindset to pursue his ambitious goals.
“If you have a dream, you follow it,” he said.
“If you want to go to the national team, to the Olympics, that’s a dream, and if you got the mindset, you cannot buy that.”
Blake said “swimming is life” and it was his way out of stress, to get fit, achieve discipline, make friends and “hopefully get a win or two along the way”.
“I didn’t even think I could get back to where I was before, yet alone where I am now, but as I progressed I kept going and going harder each time, making sure I always go 100 per cent to aim to make my swimming faster,” he said.
He said what kept him motivated was going to training and walking alongside Mr Cappati on the pool deck while he coached the team.
Swimming WA said Blake had done a great job and should be proud of the work he has put in.
“Congratulations to Blake and all of our junior swimmers, as well as the families, coaches and clubs supporting them along the way,” the spokesperson said.
Before any 2032 dreams can be achieved, the duo will focus on the Australian Age Championships.
