Edwin Foudil - Swimming

Sporting highlights

12 years ago, I quit swimming, never intending on returning. A decade later, I was forced back into the sport as a result of a medical diagnosis: I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. My doctors told me that regular exercise would be mandatory for me to help manage the pain and keep me mobile. Due to swimming being a low-impact sport, the natural choice was to return to the pool.

When I arrived at the University of Warwick to study Cyber Security (BSc), I attended a University of Warwick Swimming & Water Polo (UWSWP) taster session and fell in love with the team's spirit and most importantly Coach Dr Josh Patel's approach to training—a stark contrast to my experience as a junior athlete.

Despite my disability and a decade of no racing experience, Coach Dr Josh Patel, and captains Elliott Derrick and Joanne Neal gave me the opportunity to compete in the able-bodied division at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) meet where, on my first attempt at competing, I managed to qualify for the Swim England National Winter Championships (2021) and subsequently British Swimming Championships (2022).

To top off this past season, I also managed to break the British University Swimming League record in the 50m butterfly (short course).

For this upcoming season, I aim to expand the number of events I compete in and build the necessary experience to grow as an athlete in the sport. A big element will be to overcome some of the limitations imposed by my disability.

• Broke British University Swimming League 50m butterfly short course record
• Qualified and competed at Swim England National Winter Championships (2021)
• Qualified and competed at British Swimming Championships (2022)