Liam Schluter almost drowned when he was a toddler and he hated the pool for years but he’s now ready to swim for gold at Tokyo.
The 22-year-old from Kawana, who was born with an intellectual impairment, will compete in his favourite event Friday and he’s poised for a big performance in the 200m freestyle (S14).
The starting blocks at the Paralympics is a far cry from his early childhood, when he almost lost his life in a spa.
“He almost drowned when he was two, so had to learn to swim,” his coach Michael Sage said.
But Liam did not like taking lessons.
“He hated it. No-one could teach him (properly). He just hated swimming,” Michael said.
“But his parents persisted … they wanted to make sure he was safe.”
The patience and perseverance paid off, and it was the competitive nature of swimming which sparked Liam’s passion for the pool.
“Once he started competing (at about 10-years-old), it was a different story,” Michael said.
“He just loved the competition.
“It was something he could aim for. He loved to race, and he had success and everything turned around.”
The pool also provided an outlet for Liam, who worked and trained there.
“He found school a bit tough, and he ended up leaving because he was getting bullied,” Michael said.
“That’s when he got a job at the pool.”
Michael said Liam then developed strength of character and he emerged as one of the best swimmers in the country, to earn a berth at the Rio Games, where he featured in two finals, the 200m freestyle (S14) and 200m individual medley (S14).
He claimed silver in the 200m freestyle (S14) at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018 and he enjoyed a stellar 2019, when he was recognised as the Sunshine Coast Senior Sports Star of the Year.
But then he struggled to adjust to COVID-19 pool restrictions and the postponement of the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.
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“It was difficult,” Michael said. “It was very hard for him mentally and emotionally.”
The lack of a regular routine and the absence of swim meets took a toll. His training and his times dived.
But one of Liam’s favourite sayings is ‘never give up’ and he gradually re-emerged as a force, particularly after training and competition resumed.
“He had to re-find himself in a way,” Michael said.
“During the past 12 months he slowly got better every month.
“In every competition he got a bit better, and then he got a PB at (the selection) trials and that was a bit of a surprise.”
Michael praised his charge for bouncing back.
“He had a bit of a downward spiral, but he’s really turned it around and got himself in great shape,” he said.
Liam, whose cousin is Creek to Coast host Scott Hillier, could now make an impact at Tokyo.
“We’re hoping he can get another PB, which will hopefully get him a medal,” Michael said.
“I truly believe he’s put himself into form … so that’s exciting for him.”
Liam was scheduled to compete in a few events but the 200m freestyle is his main one.
“We’re looking for that sought-after Olympic medal, that he didn’t quite get five years ago in Rio,” Michael said.
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“He’s looking good and the (Australian team) camp environment has been fantastic, with a great culture, so he’s enjoying being part of the team. So, he’s well prepared.”
The heats for the 200m freestyle are on Friday morning from 10.12am, while the final is at 6.28pm.
He has already competed in one event at Tokyo.
He won his heat for the 100m butterfly (S14) in 58.38sec on Wednesday, but just missed out on qualifying for the final by the barest of margins, 0.01sec.
- Liam’s events: Men’s 200m freestyle (S14), 100m butterfly (S14), 200m individual medley (SM14).
Medals captured
A selection of Sunshine Coast swimmers have already made their marks at the Paralympics, with bronze medals claimed by USC Spartans athletes Ben Hance, Ruby Storm, Katja Dedekind and Keira Stephens.
Ben and Ruby finished third in the male and female 100m butterfly (S14) respectively, on the opening night of competition on Wednesday.
They were both fifth at the turn, before powering home.
Ben, 20, clocked 56.90sec, to finish behind Brazil’s Gabriel Bandeira (54.76).
Ruby, 17, touched the wall in 1:06.50, to finish behind Russian swimmer Valerii Shabalina, who claimed a world record of 1:03.59.
Club-mates Katja and Keira then snared podium positions on Thursday night.
Katja, 20, swam a personal best time of 1:06.49 in the 100m backstroke (S13) to replicate her medal-winning performance at the Rio Games five years ago.
The Sippy Downs resident finished behind American swimmer Gia Pergolini, who set a new world record of 1:04.64.
Keira, who hails from Hervey Bay was delighted to finish third in 100m breaststroke (SB9).
The 18-year-old sliced 1.5 seconds off her heat time to clock 1:17.59, in a race that also saw the world record fall, via the Netherlands’ Chantalle Zijderveld (1:10 .99).
They are among six USC swimmers at the meet.
