AN OLYMPIC CAREER : JOE CHOONG MBE VISITS SEVENOAKS
The number one ranked pentathlete in the world , a two-time Olympian and the first British male athlete to win a gold in the pentathlon .
Joe Choong attended primary school in Sevenoaks and trained at Sevenoaks Swimming Club as a teenager . With his strong ties to Sevenoaks , I thought it would be a great opportunity for the school and the club swimmers to hear him share his journey . With this in mind , I contacted him and much to my surprise amid his extremely busy schedule , he agreed .
As Joe arrived at the Sennocke Centre , an electricity seemed to pass through the audience . It seemed almost absurd that an Olympic gold medallist would even want to visit Sevenoaks , but here he was . Joe was an incredible speaker , captivating people with his enthusiasm and his passion , while also giving very practical advice . A phrase which really stood out : ‘ At a certain point in every athlete ’ s career you have to recognise that hard work is not just exhausting your body every day , it is actually paying attention to every detail in every one of your movements . It is the perfecting of all the little things that make the biggest difference .’ I thought that this was something that I could apply not only to my swimming training , but to all areas of my life .
Joe also described his pentathlon career . Surprisingly , he said that he was not born a genetically gifted champion : ‘ People can ’ t even imagine that I was ever bad at the sport , but I had to work to get where I am now .’ Of course , this was extremely inspiring to all the athletes in the room and is proof that it is possible for any of us to get to the top , it just depends on how hard we work . It felt symbolic – and heartwarming – that Joe told us this in the building where his whole career had started . He had come full circle after winning his Olympic gold .
Joe Choong is the most humble and amiable person I have ever met . I am extremely proud to be part of the same swimming club in which he swam , and I feel great admiration for all he has achieved in his career . Thank you for coming to visit us !
Zachary Raymond , Lower Sixth
98 SPORT REVIEW