13-year-old Brescia House School student excels at Abu Dhabi artistic swimming championships
Talented Brescia House School athlete Margarida Ferreira Da Silva (13) recently returned from Abu Dhabi, where she competed in the prestigious Sportex Artistic Swimming Championship with her synchro club, Team Phoenix.
Margarida proved that dedication and passion can lead to remarkable achievements, earning a silver medal in the trio event, a bronze medal in the duet, and an impressive seventh place in her solo routine.
Reflecting on her experience, she said: 'It was fun and exciting. It was my first international competition, so I learned a lot and grew more confident.'
Also read: Michael Mount Waldorf School learner swims for significance
Margarida's journey to Abu Dhabi was marked by hard work and commitment. Over the holidays, she trained four times a week for 2–4 hours a day, perfecting her routines and walk-ons. 'We aimed for gold in our trio, but silver is still a big achievement. My duet was very memorable, because it was my last time competing with my partner. We almost placed second; just one point away.'
Despite facing some challenges, like her nose clip falling off during routines, Margarida overcame these hurdles by practicing simple fixes, such as drying her nose before competing.
Also read: Young swimmer makes it to six finals, clinches bronze, at South African Junior Nationals
She credited her team members, especially the older and more experienced swimmers, as her biggest inspiration. 'They motivate me to work harder and always do my best.
'I know I should be proud of myself, but I wanted more than seventh place. Still, I've learned that I need to work even harder next time. Representing my team internationally was a huge honour, and I hope to keep improving and reaching new heights.'
Looking ahead, Margarida aspires to compete in the Olympics someday. She encourages others to follow their dreams and never give up, emphasising that perseverance is key to achieving great things.
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