Chương 20: Tryouts 3
In lanes 1-4, there isn't really anyone of note; just some boys aged 7-10. The 10 year olds have a very distinct advantage in that they're most likely taller and their muscles may be more developed.
Also, 10 year olds are more used to roughhousing, making their skin near impenetrable.
This has nothing to do with swimming but it's a neat fact.
In lane 7 however, I feel like I recognize that girl...hmmmm, maybe when she starts swimming I'll remember her? I can usually know who the female swimmer is on the Olympics Channel with the way they swim.
For example, Jakabos, one of the ho- best female swimmers has long arms; this means that her movements are wider, more powerful and not as sharp. Her elbows bend a bit more as well.
[what a freaking pervert you are. You pay attention to the female swimmers, whatever. But now? You look at their elbows?]
'Oy...you make me sound like some weirdo. I look at their swimming styles! It's for science! Those late nights watching FINA and the Olympics Channel are NOT just for my pleasure!'
[uhuh uhuh...oh look, they're starting]
As Feelie, mentions that, I hear the whistle and the kids on the diving boards jump into the water...needless to say, it's a bit of a disaster.
The kids in lane 1, 2, 6 and 9 all had their goggles pulled off of their heads, making their eyes get exposed to the pool water.
For me, I'm personally fine with it and have been training without goggles with Seung-ri Jim for about 3 months to get used to it. Other children, however?
Nuh-uh!
They all stop in their tracks and start floating above the water by lightly kicking and make their way to the poolside. They are rubbing their eyes and lane 1 and 9 are both crying.
It's very hard not to laugh but I need to try! Holding on is key to developing a relationship with Coach K.
Even though swimming isn't a team sports, you still need to show some decency when handling teammates. In fact, there was this one story where a disgruntled teammate was repeatedly bullied and harassed by this better swimmer.
The bully swimmer was able to get to the FINA finals while the bullied swimmer was eliminated at the quarterfinals. Annoyed and jealous, right before the swim, she broke into the other swimmer's hotel room and smashed up her legs.
That ruined both of their careers. Literally no chance at redemption all becuase you decided to call a kid a "poopy-head" in 3rd grade and called them "dumdum" in middle school.
You feel good about it now? That the little name calling will get you forever ruined from the legs down, huh? Think about it...
[that's such an isolated case that it's stupid you even mention it. However! I need to agree. Respect your teammates and they will respect you. It costs nothing to be nice]
'Uhuh uhuh. Very funny hearing that from you though'
[you- why yo-]
Ignoring the haters by focusing my entire attention to the race, looking at lane 7 and lane 3 as both of them are the quickest so far from off the bat.
Both look like they have great technique. Sharp elbows, thumb in first and kicks never above the water. They look very promising.
The other lanes: lane 4, lane 5 and lane 8, are all mediocre. Well, at least they are still young. This age is the perfect age for improving your swimming.
Despite the fact that they suck so much that a person with cerebral palsy with 10 kilogram weights could out swim them, they are fairly good for their age.
Right now in this race, it's a 100 meter freestyle. The pool is 25 meters long meaning that it's 2 laps; back and forth.
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(A.N) lol. So, to avoid any confusion for the non-swimming people or people who are still confused by now about what a lap is; a lap is a round trip. Going to the other side of the pool and coming back is a lap; not JUST going to the other side.
Sorry if you knew but there are probably people who were confused lol. Again, a lap is to the end and back. Got it? Cool, let's return.
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It's like watching two of the best people compete against each other: Senna v. Prost, Rosberg v. Hamilton and Celtics v. Lakers just to name a few.
Imagine that but much, much, much slower than Formula 1 cars or basketball games. These are kids who having even lived a decade, give them a break.
By the 2nd lap, both of them are dead tired but they keep on going. Their grit is immense that's for sure. Most 8-9 year olds can't even continue after one lao and these kids are crushing it!
On the return back to the starting point, both are constantly breathing on both sides, even taking little rests. The girl on lane 7 is almost crying while the boy is clutching his stomach.
Honestly, I don't think this is what coach K intended. If you are going to make a bunch of barely children swim 100 meters and expect them to finish, you'd be dead wrong. Wrong and stupid. Stupid and wrong.
Lanes 4, 5 and 8 are all so tired they are just floating in the pool and trying to get out; they quit after reaching 3/4ths of the first lap.
Lane 7 comes in first and then lane 3. Coach K's stopwatch showed us that the girl on lane 7 got a time of 1:39.56. In all honesty, that is an absolutely stunning time. For her age and for that distance, not many can do it.
The boy was no slouch either, clocking in at 1:45.32. Both are amazing times don't get me wrong and I'll probably see them in competitions in the future. But...hard work is nothing in face of talent! And I have both!
[by talent you mean me, the best system ever, Feelie?]
Feelie interrupts my feel good streak by saying I don't have talent! Again! I recall his words and get a bit agitated. You mean to say I didn't work hard? You little system! I worked hard!
Thinking about his words more however, I realize something...he is getting more and more like me! Before, he used to be more modest and polite with his insults, calling me "scoundrel" and "rascal".
But now?
He prefers uplifting himself by pushing me down! He is me! I made him like me! Mwuahahahahaha!!! You fool, Feelie! I have found you all out and your codes are being read as we think!
'Awwwwww... would ya look at that, it seems I've rubbed off on you a little bit! Hic...hic!...I raised that boy...'
[wha- don't even tr-]
I ignore him and focus on the next match and the encouraging words of Coach K. Honestly, as a coach, his skills on pep talks and motivational speeches are top notch.
Some of the best coaches are even better at motivating their pupils than at the damn sport. Some examples of this are Rob Ryan of the Cowboys, Rex Ryan of the Jets and so on.
I know one word you could say, your honor, and that is "Guilty"!!!
Coach K goes over to the two troopers gives them a big pat on their backs. After all, they deserve it after showing their perseverance.
"Hey, Chang-min ah and Mi-sun ah, both of you were absolutely amazing out there. Great job"
""Un!""
After he pats them on their heads, he lets them take a well deserved rest and focuses on the next batch of swimmers, silently hoping they are at least 70% of the two perseverance monsters.
'Hmmmm...wait a minute. Why does Mi-sun sound familiar?...hmmmm, Olympics? FINA?.....oh wait! ASEAN! OH DAMN!
Now I realize who Mi-sun is; a bronze medalist at ASEAN. Despite her "only" getting a bronze medal, that's much, much better than most people out there. She is incredibly talented and from the news interviews, has a great personality.
She stopped swimming after she got 6th in the recent ASEAN in my previous life and settled down to marry some chaebol with a fake-ass hairline, obviously tucked in stomach and Botox inflated lips.
Like a damn kendoll! Look at me! My hair is so much thicker than his even when I was 40 and bald! I honestly felt bad for her but checking the stock market, I didn't feel too bad anymore.
A hint why: she was worth over 10 billion won just from marrying him.
Maybe I'll try motivating her in the future to swim more or something. Hopefully she doesn't get ri- doesn't quit swimming this time around.
She was a great swimmer and many men loved watching her.
[uhuh...a "great" swimmer, right?]
'Yeah! A very se- great swimmer and an amazing athlete! Her looks are only 10/10 anyways!'
The third batch of people are getting ready and I'm looking forward to seeing how So-young compares to the other 7-10 year olds...
"Good luck, So-young! Fighting!"
She turns her head and looks at me with scarlet cheeks and dazed eyes. She regains focus and gives a wide smile.
"Un!"
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(A.N) yo! Another chapter and I hope you enjoyed! Please do support with reviews and comments! Thanks! Peace ✌️!
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