IN THE POOL - Swimming.Org

SWIMMING PROFILES: WOMEN
MATTHEW WALKER
Club: Marple Swimming Club
Coach: Mick Massey
Dob: 25/04/1978
Born: Stockport
Trains: Manchester
Lives: Marple
Occupation: Full time athlete
QUALIFIED EVENTS:
50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly
ACHIEVEMENTS:
IPC European Championships 2011: S7 50Fr Gold
IPC World Championships 2010: S7 50Fr Gold, S7 100Fr 4th,
S7 50Fly Silver, 34pt 4x100FR Bronze
IPC European Championships 2009: S7 50Fr Gold,
S7 100Fr Gold, S7 50Fly Gold, SM7 200IM Silver, 20pt4x50FR 4th,
34pt 4x100FR Gold
Paralympic Games 2008: S7 50Fr Silver, S7 100Fr Bronze,
S7 50Fly Silver, SM7 200IM Bronze, 34pt 4x100FR Gold
IPC World Championships 2006: S7 50Fr Bronze,
S7 100Fr Bronze, SB7 100Br 5th, 34pt 4x100FR Gold
Commonwealth Games 2006: MD 50Fr Bronze, MD 100Fr 5th
Paralympic Games 2004: S7 50Fr Silver, S7 100Fr Silver,
S7 50Fly 6th, SM7 200IM 4th, 34pt 4x100FR Gold
Paralympic Games 2000: S7 50Fr Silver, S7 100Fr 4th,
SB7 100Br Bronze, S7 50Fly 9th, 34pt 4x100FR Gold
IN THE POOL
How were the Paralympic trials for you? They were pretty
reasonable. I qualified in London in the 50m Freestyle and it
was the fastest time in the world this year. It was such a great
buzz to be swimming in the pool. To then go faster again at
the Sheffield trials was great.
What are your goals for the London Paralympics? To swim
as well as I can in all of my events and hopefully get the gold
medal in the 50m Freestyle. I have won gold at the World
Championships, Europeans and Commonwealth Games so
can hopefully complete the set.
What has been your finest performance so far and why? The
one that stands out the most was Eindhoven in 2010 in the
50m Freestyle. I won gold and became World Champion.
What is your favourite Event? 50m Freestyle. It’s a splash
and dash. It’s over so quickly and I have done this event
throughout my career. I focus on Freestyle now.
When was your international senior debut? 1997 in Spain
at the European Championships. It was an outdoor pool and
it was pitch black when we swam because the flood lights
were not that good! I won bronze in the 100m Breaststroke.
Who is your toughest opponent? There are a lot of people
out there now. Matt Levy (AUS) is tough as are the US
swimmers. Also there are always people who come out of
nowhere each year.
Best Venue? Beijing was amazing, but I think London will top
that in the summer.
OUT OF THE POOL
Do you have any Superstitions? No.
Favourite way to relax? Watching sport on television or
doing something that will keep me calm. I enjoy all sports;
golf, cricket, rugby, football, everything.
Any hobbies away from the pool? I like to keep myself busy.
I am a Cub leader in Marple and I also coach at Marple
swimming club. I really enjoy giving something back to the
club that supported me.
What’s the best thing you cook? Anything on the grill really.
Best concert you have been to? I enjoy musicals. Wizard of
Oz was the last one that I saw and I really enjoyed the Jubilee
concert on the television.
Who would you most like to meet? No one that I can think of
to be honest.
What are your must watch TV programs? I don’t really have
anything, I mainly just watch what is on.
What could you not live without Laptop or Mobile? Mobile.
Ideal holiday destination? Somewhere sunny.
Which five people would you want at your ultimate dinner
party? I would just invite family and friends.
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