Swimmer spiderman continues to stay positive
The athlete isn't allowed to train in a swimming pool just yet, but said he has been enjoying light inland training.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
While he hasn't been able to get back into the water due to the coronavirus state of emergency restrictions, local para swimmer Mateus 'Spiderman' Angula says he trains every day to keep his upper body strong.
Currently using a cycling wheelchair to stay active, Angula said with winter fast approaching, he will need to train in an indoor pool, but lamented not having the funds to do so. However, he added struggling with funds whenever he is scheduled to train or compete doesn't deter him from pursuing his dreams. In 2016, Angula was classified to swim freestyle in the S6 category and breaststroke in the SB5 and SB6 categories.
He is currently ranked number one in Africa in S6.
IPC categories
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) classifies athletes in three impairment groups: Physical, intellectual, visual. The S6 and SB5 categories include swimmers with a short stature, amputations of both arms or moderate coordination problems on one side of their body.
Life beyond swimming
Angula regularly updates short video clips of his training sessions on Facebook. Apart from training and listening to music, the athlete is also juggling school work as he is about to finish the third level of Electrical General training at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre. “I'm only left with two modules before I can complete it. Thereafter, I will study a course which will teach me ways in which to fix electrical appliances and installations,” he added.
Until then, the swimmer is focused on training as he last swam competitively in London at the World Championships.
He took the ninth position with a time of 1:56:43.
“My plan is to better my time with every competition,” he said.
How he got started
Angula, who is coached by Sonia Lindemeier, entered the sporting world through javelin and was on a trip to South Africa in 2016 when his coach suggested he utilises his upper body strength in the swimming pool.
He said he struggled to swim at first but eventually got the hang of things, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Angula's message to the youth is to keep trying. “If I can do it, so can you.”
The swimmer was born without legs, and was raised by his uncle at Elambo in the Oshikoto Region.
WINDHOEK
While he hasn't been able to get back into the water due to the coronavirus state of emergency restrictions, local para swimmer Mateus 'Spiderman' Angula says he trains every day to keep his upper body strong.
Currently using a cycling wheelchair to stay active, Angula said with winter fast approaching, he will need to train in an indoor pool, but lamented not having the funds to do so. However, he added struggling with funds whenever he is scheduled to train or compete doesn't deter him from pursuing his dreams. In 2016, Angula was classified to swim freestyle in the S6 category and breaststroke in the SB5 and SB6 categories.
He is currently ranked number one in Africa in S6.
IPC categories
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) classifies athletes in three impairment groups: Physical, intellectual, visual. The S6 and SB5 categories include swimmers with a short stature, amputations of both arms or moderate coordination problems on one side of their body.
Life beyond swimming
Angula regularly updates short video clips of his training sessions on Facebook. Apart from training and listening to music, the athlete is also juggling school work as he is about to finish the third level of Electrical General training at the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre. “I'm only left with two modules before I can complete it. Thereafter, I will study a course which will teach me ways in which to fix electrical appliances and installations,” he added.
Until then, the swimmer is focused on training as he last swam competitively in London at the World Championships.
He took the ninth position with a time of 1:56:43.
“My plan is to better my time with every competition,” he said.
How he got started
Angula, who is coached by Sonia Lindemeier, entered the sporting world through javelin and was on a trip to South Africa in 2016 when his coach suggested he utilises his upper body strength in the swimming pool.
He said he struggled to swim at first but eventually got the hang of things, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Angula's message to the youth is to keep trying. “If I can do it, so can you.”
The swimmer was born without legs, and was raised by his uncle at Elambo in the Oshikoto Region.
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