High Performance training

You moved away from home to Manchester a year ago – do you feel settled now?

It’s taken a few months to get settled living away from home, but now a year in I feel good and I’m training really hard in the build up to the Paralympics.

What are the main benefits of training at the High Performance Centre in Manchester?

There’s much more input from all the coaches and staff here. My programme is meticulously planned out and everything I could want is on the doorstep.

At home, I had to travel far to get anywhere, but here I go to the English Institute of Sport (EIS) to both do my gym sessions and see a doctor.

It’s in the centre of Manchester as well, making it a very accessible and exciting place to be; disability athletes are given all the help we need.

Do you do much gym work?

Yes, I do gym three times a week. On Mondays and Fridays I do weights sessions, while on Wednesdays I do a core session with my team-mates.

I never had a gym programme at home, but I really believe it is aiding my strength in the pool.

I know it’s benefiting my 400 free and 100 back specifically, as what we do in the gym mimics what we do in the water.

What are your hobbies away from the pool?

I like to relax and enjoy myself away from the pool obviously. I see my girlfriend who lives in Manchester, or go driving with my mates. I have a real passion for cars, and driving is a great way for us to socialise.

You already have two world records under your belt for 400 free and 100 back. How do you plan on improving your performance still?

Streamlining off the wall after every tumble turn is my main focus. It’s getting better and better. This time last year I was pushing off only two metres and now I’m coming off four or five metres which is a real improvement.

It makes such a difference when I’m racing 400 – you’re swimming so much less when you get that distance off each turn, so it’s essential as we move towards the British Gas Championships and London Paralympics.