SWIMMING: A COVENTRY youngster has overcome all odds to land gold at the National Dwarf Games.
Luqman Abdi finished first in the Male Under 8s swimming category at the 24th national games, which are organised by Dwarf Sports Association UK (DSAUK).
The talented eight-year-old, who only started swimming three years ago, has advanced from a complete novice to a decorated champion.
As a bonus, he was also named Young Sportsman of the Year at the games.
Luqman, who was born with dwarfism, was awarded his medal by five time Paralympic gold medallist and his favourite sportsperson Ellie Simmonds.
After competing in a series of heats, Luqman finished with the fastest time and took home his second gold medal – having also won gold in 2016.
Since starting swimming lessons at Coventry Sports Foundation’s Xcel Leisure Centre, the youngster has had lessons once a week.
He said: “I was really happy to win the gold medal and my award, meeting Ellie Simmonds was exciting too.
“After all my lessons, I can jump into the pool and swim on my own, I go swimming with school too and my friends are impressed with my medal.
“I love swimming and I want to keep doing it, swimming further and getting better in every lesson.”
Ravi Nakra, Coventry Sports Foundation’s swim teacher development co-ordinator, has been teaching Luqman to swim for more than two years.
Ravi said: “When Luqman came to us for his first lessons he was a complete non-swimmer, he had a real fear of the water, so for him to get to the stage he is at now is a truly phenomenal achievement.
“I’ve been teaching now for 12 years and Luqman really stood out as a pupil from the get go. When I heard about his award and gold medal I honestly could have cried, it was a real ‘this is why you do it’ moment.
“He started off in big armbands and a body belt, we had six months of working on that and getting him swimming on his back without assistance.
“It’s all about making swimming fun and that’s what we try to do here, making the learning fun regardless of the age and celebrating every single positive step.
“Every little milestone was a massive one with Luqman, we have built a great trust and I am so proud of him, I know his family are too.
“He can swim completely unaided now, probably around 15 metres on his own, it’s a tremendous achievement.”
