My life in sport: Melissa Ingram

Melissa Ingram was delighted with her performance at the Christchurch short-course champs this week. Photo / Kenny Rodger

It is fair to say 2009 has not gone the way Melissa Ingram had planned.

Ingram couldn't seem to put a foot wrong last year, establishing herself as one of New Zealand swimming's brightest stars.

The backstroke specialist seemingly got faster every time she took to the pool, culminating in her selection for the Beijing Olympics after some outstanding performances at the Olympic trials.

This year, it has been a different story.

The 24-year-old was dealt a big blow in April when she failed to qualify for the World Championships in Rome this year, later discovering she was suffering from iron deficiency.

But Ingram has been quick to bounce back, producing some impressive performances at this week's national short-course championships in Christchurch.

The Auckland student has spent the winter building a solid training base and concentrating on her technique as she looks ahead to the Commonwealth Games next year. With that in mind she didn't have high expectations of herself for this week's meet and was thrilled with her performances.

Ingram won two titles in Christchurch - the 400m freestyle and 200m backstroke - breaking the magical 900 FINA points-mark in both swims.

"I'm really happy with [the results], I wasn't rested for the competition, we've been full on into training, so I went into the event with no expectations," she said.

What inspired you to embark on a career in sport?

It was just something that gradually progressed over the years really. I started out in learn-to-swim and then started swimming competitions when I was about 8 years old and like many young kids I had a dream to go to the Olympics, and it just developed through my teenage years and now I'm 24 and I'm still going.

When you were a kid were there any other sports you fancied yourself as a future star in?

I was really into dancing, but that's not really a sport. I dabbled in lots of different sports at school level, but really I've always been pretty focused on swimming and it's such an all-consuming sport that there wasn't a lot of time for anything else.

Is swimming a full-time career for you?

It dominates most of my time. I'm also studying a Bachelor of Arts at Auckland University, which I'm nearly finished, and also I do a little bit of part-time work on the side. Because I missed out on the World Champs I've had all my funding cut and it's been a pretty tough year financially so I just try and pick up bits and pieces of work if I can, but it's very difficult to get a job that will work around swimming training hours.

What's the proudest achievement of your sporting life?

I did the World Cup circuit last year and I won 9 gold, 5 silver and a bronze medal, so that was definitely one of the highlights and then qualifying for the Olympics was also really special. I also won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2006 for the relay, which was awesome.

What was your darkest moment?

Probably missing the Athens Olympics in 2004, equal with missing the World Champs this year.

What has been your focus since missing out on the World Champs team?

I had a break, because I had an iron deficiency. I needed to have a break anyway just to get my health back on track, but by a "break" we're talking about four weeks. It was just enough time to get healthy again and have a bit of time out because 2008 was a huge year for me.

What is the best thing about being a swimmer?

I love the competition, the travel and the camaraderie.

And the worst?

The early morning starts, and being tired all the time.

What would you be doing if you weren't a swimmer?

I'm really interested in journalism, it's the one thing that really appeals to me and something I will pursue after finishing my degree.

What is your favourite venue you've competed at?

I think my favourite pool was the Melbourne Commonwealth Games pool. It was just amazing - it was a really electric environment.

Who are your sporting heroes?

I draw a lot of strength from our New Zealand athletes like Hamish Carter and Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, who came back from huge disappointments and went on to win Olympic golds. When I've had my disappointments I look to role models like them and I think "well if they can do it, then I'm definitely going to keep trying".

MELISSA INGRAM - CV

2008 - Qualified for the Olympic Games in Beijing after breaking Anna Simcic's long-standing New Zealand backstroke record over 200m at the Olympic trials. Ingram narrowly missed out on a place in the final, finishing 11th in the semifinals.

- Competed on the World Cup circuit, winning nine gold, five silver and a bronze medal.

2007 - Silver medallist at the World University Games.

2006 - A member of the bronze medal winning women's 4x200m freestyle relay at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

2004 - After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Athens Olympics, Ingram won a bronze medal in the 200m backstroke at the Fina World Short Course Championships.

2002 - Finalist at the Manchester Commonwealth Games.