In a remarkable display of talent, 16-year-old Joy van der Westhuizen from Heathfield, South Africa, created waves at the 8th Africa Aquatic Zone 3 Championships held in Kigali, Rwanda, last November. Invited by the Swimming South Africa federation, Joy sat down with the People’s Post at the poolside to share insights into her journey, triumphs, and aspirations in the world of competitive swimming.
Van der Westhuizen, who made headlines for surpassing her personal bests in Rwanda, was later selected to represent the swimming team at the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games in Lilongwe, Malawi, in December 2022. Reflecting on her experiences, Joy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent her country, highlighting the camaraderie among the 14-member swimming team.
“This time around in Rwanda, I was representing the Swimming SA federation, whereas I previously represented our country at a swimming gala in Malawi,” she recalled, emphasizing the “wholesome atmosphere” of the trip. The young swimmer praised the close-knit bond among team members, maintaining daily communication through a dedicated WhatsApp group.
Not only focused on her achievements in the pool, Joy emphasized the importance of cultural experiences during her travels. Visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial left a lasting impact, and Joy believes that South Africans can learn valuable lessons from the resilience of the Rwandan people.
As she competes against swimmers from across the continent, Joy described the atmosphere as less intimidating than anticipated. She noted the passion and love for the sport among her fellow competitors, even if some displayed a bit of overconfidence. “Some competitors were a bit over-the-top and quite cocky! But I could tell it came from a lot of passion and love for the sport,” she remarked.
Joy's favorite swimming style is the butterfly, a stroke she excels at effortlessly. Despite finding breaststroke challenging, she remains determined to overcome it. Under the guidance of coach Shrone Austin and attending Wynberg Girls High, Joy has consistently improved her personal best times by precious milliseconds.
Looking ahead, Joy is resolute in her goal to qualify for the SA Nationals Junior categories in 2024, particularly aiming to shave seconds off her personal best time in the butterfly stroke. With aspirations of qualifying for the Water Olympic Sports in 2028, she envisions a long-term career in coaching, emphasizing the importance of swimming as both a life skill and a crucial survival skill.
In her pursuit of excellence, Joy draws inspiration from South African aquatic stars Tatjana Schoenmaker and Chad le Clos, as well as international swimming legend Michael Phelps. As she dreams of teaching water safety, especially to the children in her community, Joy remains grounded and looks forward to potentially funding her ambitions, including acquiring a mermaid tail, through her future career as a chemical engineer. With a passion for art and a keen eye on architecture, Joy's journey promises to make a splash both in and out of the pool.
