“No pain, no gain” – Without effort, there is no success. This is the mantra that anyone pursuing sports constantly reminds themselves of. Yet, the journey from ”saying” to “doing” is an extraordinary path that demands immense patience and passion to overcome challenges and surpass one’s limits. This is also the story of the young swimmers on The Dewey Schools’ swim team.
Day after day, they train with maximum effort, yet there are competitions where they come home empty-handed. But this does not discourage them. They compete not for accolades but to improve every single day. With each competition, they manage to shave off 1-2 seconds from their swim times, gradually closing the gap between themselves and the coveted medals. At the largest swimming event of the year – the UNIS Invitational 2024 – facing formidable international competitors, The Dewey Schools Swim Team proudly secured four bronze medals. Mr. Nguyen Manh Tu, Head Coach of the TDS Swim Team, shared: “I’ve witnessed the tremendous effort and dedication of these students. Some of them struggled with their mental readiness and techniques before the competition, but through this event, they have shown remarkable improvement. I understand that being able to start 1-2 seconds faster or glide through the water more efficiently is the result of relentless training and overcoming personal limits. I’m incredibly proud of what they have achieved!”
As the recipient of a Bronze Medal in the competition, Khanh Hung (6Berlin) shared sincerely: “I felt a bit nervous knowing that my competitors were mostly international students with very high skill levels, comparable to national achievements. However, my team members and I remained determined to take on the challenge because we believe that winning isn’t everything. What matters most is that we gave it our all and didn’t back down, no matter the difficulties we faced.”
Behind those outstanding performances lies a long journey of effort and determination. Sprint swimming is always a challenge, even for professional athletes. Some students returned from practice with aching arms, while others, despite having hand injuries, attended every session without missing a single day. “I truly admire the students’ spirit and determination,” shared Teacher Tu.
Alongside the dedicated guidance of teachers was the unwavering support of parents. Parents actively joined their children in every training session, encouraging them to participate in additional exchange competitions to gain experience. Their presence, applause, and timely words of encouragement such as “You can do it,” or “You did so well,” along with the nods and smiles from teachers and parents, became a source of motivation, nurturing the students’ passion for swimming. Perhaps this is why the optimism and perseverance of TDSers have never wavered. Setbacks do not discourage them; instead, they serve as motivation to strive harder and conquer new heights.
Accompanying the child through every stage of the competition, Ms. Thuy Ninh shared: “I, along with other parents, will always stand by and support our children in their journey to pursue their passion. We hope they will continue to train diligently.”
Every competition is an opportunity for TDSers to challenge themselves, gain experience, connect, and learn from outstanding athletes across Asia. Wearing the national team colors, showcasing their talents, pushing their limits, and creating unforgettable moments with teammates on the blue racing lanes are exactly what teachers and parents hope for.
It is our hope that these invaluable experiences will become a source of inspiration for students to continue conquering new heights in their athletic journeys. The Dewey Schools is proud of you and will always be by your side!
