Carmen ‘Hungary’ for success
Local swimmer follows in her sisters footsteps in representing South Africa at the FINA world champs.
THERE is an air of excitement tinged with a hint of nervousness to La Lucia’s Carmen le Roux as she tells Northglen News about her preparation for the upcoming FINA World Junior Open Water Swimming Championships in Hungary. The 16-year-old will be representing South Africa at the international competition and will be swimming in the world’s largest lake, Lake Balaton.
“I’m really looking forward to the champs. It’s my first international competition and I’m hoping for a top five. I will be satisfied with a top 10 but I want to win it,” she said.
Carmen has also been getting advice from her older sister Clarice, who represented South Africa at the senior open water championships in Barcelona last year.
“It’s great to be able to draw on my sister’s knowledge and she has helped push me and motivated me throughout my build-up to the champs. My mom and dad have also been incredibly supportive which is a huge motivation,” she said.
The aquatic superstar eclipsed hundreds of more experienced swimmers at this year’s Midmar Mile finishing fifth overall. She also won gold at the SA nationals junior open water champs recently. If her performances are anything to go by, there’s no doubt a bright future lies ahead of the motivated youngster.
