Teenaged swimmer to join elite global programme in Hungary
Swimming
Teenaged Namibian swimmer Trisha Mutumbulua has been awarded a scholarship from World Aquatics and the Hungarian government for the 2024-2025 academic year. Starting in September this year, she will join nine other international swimmers in the Stipendium Hungaricum Sport Scholarship programme, designed to help athletes continue their sports careers while pursuing academic goals.
Six will study and train in Budapest, while the other four will study in Debrecen, Eger and Pecs.
The universities are Hungarian University of Sports Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, University of Pécs, Corvinus University of Budapest, Eszterházy Károly Catholic University, and University of Debrecen.
Training camp
The 19-year-old Mutumbulua is currently training at the Thanyapura Sports and Health Resort in Phuket, Thailand, under a World Aquatics swimming scholarship.
She will complete her programme there before heading to Hungary.
In a telephonic interview, Mutumbulua shared her emotions after receiving the news. “I felt extremely excited to be selected for the swimming team, but I did not get too carried away, as the final decision depended on whether I passed my entrance exams,” she said.
Mutumbulua plans to focus on refining her swimming techniques and continuing the progress she has made in Thailand.
“While on the scholarship, I would like to focus on refining technical aspects of my swimming, which will lead to overall improvement. Additionally, I aim to try new things and embrace any challenges that come my way,” she stated.
Life outside swimming
Reflecting on her journey in the sport of swimming, Mutumbulua highlighted one of her favourite moments so far.
“One of my favourite moments has to be the Ghana 2021 African junior and senior swimming championships, which consisted of great results, personal best times, and some qualifying times for competitions like the Junior World Championships and All African Games.”
Away from the pool, Mutumbulua finds time to pursue other passions.
“Swimming occupies a significant part of my life, but outside of swimming, my interests include construction, designing, sketching, and spending time with family and friends. But I would still catch myself occupying my mind with swimming-related content,” she shared.
Mutumbulua credits her success to the support of her coach, swimming club, family and friends. “Without the support of those around me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. My swimming journey truly embodies the term ‘Ubuntu’: I am because we are,” she said.
Advice
Offering advice to aspiring athletes, Mutumbulua said, “As cliché as it might sound, your 100% looks different every single day.
“So, do not beat yourself up too much, and do not seek validation from others. Instead, find it within yourself and do it for you.”