Annabel Kiki S9 Para Swimmer

Finally classified!

I am thrilled to announce I have finally been classified in para swimming. From my first para training camp on 7th Jan 2024 I’ve filled in forms, shown I can swim (on numerous camps), gone to land training and medicals and competed in a para gala where I was finally classified as an S9 swimmer. Now, I could have told you back on Jan 7th 2024, that I’d very likely be an S9 swimmer as most above-knee-amputees tend to be S9 swimmers, and I was pretty confident that my leg wasn’t going to grow back… but I followed the process anyway and here I am.

If I’m honest I think one of my forms must have got lost on someone’s desk back in early 2024 as the actual classification day (once I finally managed to get it booked in) was so quick and easy. I had my little leg measured to see what percent was missing, I was then watched in the pool for about 20 minutes and that was it… S9.

I’ve also been categorised as S8 in breaststroke but I can’t stand the breaststroke and very much doubt I’ll race it competitively… it’s impossible to do the frog leg kick with only one leg! But following my observation in the pool I took part in my first para gala that afternoon:

Since then I have competed in two mainstream galas with my swimming club and won 4 more Gold medals! (Still nothing for the breaststroke!)

I’m really enjoying the training and competing… but oh my goodness it’s a whole new world!!!! Who knew you could only wear FINA approved swimsuits? Who knew Crocs were such a fashion statement poolside (literally everyone has them and the coolest swimmers have the most Croc charms!) Who knew you needed camp chairs and dryrobes, and what’s with all the slapping of the skin and banging on the dive boards??? I do feel very out-of-my-depth (wink) and it’s all so different from the football pitch, but I seem to be doing okay and rising up the para S9 swim rankings.