Iestyn strikes gold in butterfly swimming at just 13!
Taking to water like a duck at mother and toddler classes, Iestyn Cole was soon swimming like a dolphin and has struck gold at butterfly aged just 13.
Iestyn learned to swim at Llanelli Leisure Centre and has splashed on to become the fastest 13-year-old 100m butterfly swimmer in the UK.
The remarkable young swimmer was recommended from the coaching teams at Llanelli Swimming Club when they recognised his promise to the Nofio Sir Gar Performance group swimmers based in Carmarthen Leisure Centre.
He has rewarded the faith and dedication of his coaching team winning a gold medal in the British Age Group Swimming Championships in Sheffield.
Carmarthenshire executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is a tremendous achievement by Iestyn; a tribute to our Llanelli Swimming Club and their team of coaches especially the Nofio Sir Gar coach and double Commonwealth Silver Medallist Austyn Shortman.
She said the leisure facilities team that created the Nofio Sir Gar concept are proud of seeing their plan lead to the production of a gold winning champion on the national stage.
“The development of aquatics in Carmarthenshire has been revolutionary and Iestyn is a p;roud product of that process. He joined the elite NSG squad just 18 months ago and in a very short period of time has realised a golden dream.”
The gold medal came in the 100m butterfly in a time of 1.00.25sec - the fastest time swum by a 13-year-old in the British nationals this year. He was swimming against competitors from all parts the UK Ireland and Dubai.
Mrs Gravell said a great deal of commitment support and skill was needed needed to perform at this level not only from Iestyn but from his mother and father Caroline and Andrew.
Father Andrew said: “Iestyn has been well looked after by the coaching teams at Llanelli and Carmarthen leisure centres and owes everything to their encouragement faith in him. He really is at the top of his game at the moment. After winning the gold in Sheffield he went to a Swansea competition and broke the meet record at backstroke.”
Iestyn said: “It has been a hectic season and I have to thank the team around me. It has involved a lot of running around for Mum and Dad. We are all looking forward to two weeks holidays in the Med, and yes, of course, I will be swimming.”
The Carmarthenshire swimming programme has been built on firm foundations with improvements made in all aspects of swimming from babies through to the elite NSG squad.
Iestyn started swimming with his mum as a baby in the parent and baby classes at Llanelli Leisure Centre.
The future is looking bright for Carmarthenshire swimming with other Nofio Sir Gar squad members making the National finals:
Iestyn learned to swim at Llanelli Leisure Centre and has splashed on to become the fastest 13-year-old 100m butterfly swimmer in the UK.
The remarkable young swimmer was recommended from the coaching teams at Llanelli Swimming Club when they recognised his promise to the Nofio Sir Gar Performance group swimmers based in Carmarthen Leisure Centre.
He has rewarded the faith and dedication of his coaching team winning a gold medal in the British Age Group Swimming Championships in Sheffield.
Carmarthenshire executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is a tremendous achievement by Iestyn; a tribute to our Llanelli Swimming Club and their team of coaches especially the Nofio Sir Gar coach and double Commonwealth Silver Medallist Austyn Shortman.
She said the leisure facilities team that created the Nofio Sir Gar concept are proud of seeing their plan lead to the production of a gold winning champion on the national stage.
“The development of aquatics in Carmarthenshire has been revolutionary and Iestyn is a p;roud product of that process. He joined the elite NSG squad just 18 months ago and in a very short period of time has realised a golden dream.”
The gold medal came in the 100m butterfly in a time of 1.00.25sec - the fastest time swum by a 13-year-old in the British nationals this year. He was swimming against competitors from all parts the UK Ireland and Dubai.
Mrs Gravell said a great deal of commitment support and skill was needed needed to perform at this level not only from Iestyn but from his mother and father Caroline and Andrew.
Father Andrew said: “Iestyn has been well looked after by the coaching teams at Llanelli and Carmarthen leisure centres and owes everything to their encouragement faith in him. He really is at the top of his game at the moment. After winning the gold in Sheffield he went to a Swansea competition and broke the meet record at backstroke.”
Iestyn said: “It has been a hectic season and I have to thank the team around me. It has involved a lot of running around for Mum and Dad. We are all looking forward to two weeks holidays in the Med, and yes, of course, I will be swimming.”
The Carmarthenshire swimming programme has been built on firm foundations with improvements made in all aspects of swimming from babies through to the elite NSG squad.
Iestyn started swimming with his mum as a baby in the parent and baby classes at Llanelli Leisure Centre.
The future is looking bright for Carmarthenshire swimming with other Nofio Sir Gar squad members making the National finals:
National Youth Champs – 3 swimmers, 12 swims
Jonah Lewis CDSC (QEH) – 100/200 Fly, 50/100/200 FC, 100 Bk – 4th nationals
Victoria Moulson AVSC (Amman Valley) – 100 Fly – 3rd Nationals
Carys Thomas AVSC (Preseli)– 200 Bk, 200/400 IM, 400/800 FC – 4th nationals
National Age Group – 6 swimmers, 15 swims
Connah Green CDSC (QEH) – 100 Fly – 1st nationals;
Tegan Galbraith Llanelli ASC (Stradey) – 100 FC, 200 Bk - 1st nationals;
Iestyn Cole Llanelli ASC (Stradey) – 100/200/400 FC, 100/200 Fly – 2nd nationals;
Lowri Mathias AVSC (Bro Myrddyn) – 100 Brst - 1st nationals;
Brandon Budd-Thomas Llanelli ASC (Stradey) – 100/200 Bk, 200/400/1,500 FC - 1st nationals;
Taran Galbraith Llanelli ASC (Stradey) – 100 Fly - 1st nationals.
A total of nine swimmers qualified for 27 events.
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