Good sports: Rio firmly on long-term radar for Gaualofa

Daniel Gaualofa

Daniel Gaualofa is no stranger to chasing a dream.

The Bay of Islands swimmer constantly trying to break through to the next level. Thanks to this desire to achieve, Gaualofa - who was born with clubbed feet - has qualified for his first senior New Zealand team to compete later this year. While the team hasn't been 100 per cent confirmed, it's a step in the right direction for Gaualofa.

How did you feel you went at New Zealand Opens, must be pretty happy?

I am extremely happy with how opens went. I did good personal bests and made four of the Pan Pacs qualifying times. I am also happy with the Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) records that I broke.

You've come a long way in the last year or so in the pool, what is it that you think has helped you get fitter, faster, and stronger?

I think the trip to Australia, for the NSW Opens in February, helped a lot. I had help from the PNZ staff who helped me with my warm-up and stretching routine during competition. My coach, John Clarke, and I have also been working hard on making sure everything is done well, whether it's training or a competition. I also have been focusing on my core strength, spending the last few months going to the community gym in Kerikeri.

When you think of Pan Pacs later this year, if you are to be selected what will your goals be?

At this stage, I think my main goals at Pan Pacs are just to better all my times by as much as I can, and to keep improving to get the times closer to Rio's qualifying times. I have to sit down with my coach and figure out exactly what I want to do but, looking at the results for the year so far, I am aiming for a few top 10 finishes. I am also excited to get a chance to swim against some of the top swimmers in my category.

With it being your first PNZ senior New Zealand team, are you going to be nervous?

I think more excited than anything. I only get nervous at racing time. It'll give me a chance to learn from the pros like Sophie Pascoe, Mary Fisher and Nikita Howarth, and do things that'll make me be better in the pool as well as out of the pool.

Is the 2016 Rio Paralympics on your radar? If so, what do you hope to do between now and then to qualify and/or medal or make finals?

Rio is my main goal at the moment. I need to talk to my coach and plan out the next two years but I think, for now, all I need to do is train as much and as well as I can to get faster, fitter and stronger.