Arno Kamminga is confident he can continue to make great strides as the Netherlands swimmers return to training in Eindhoven and Amsterdam.
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of many sporting events during its deathly march across the world, Tokyo 2020 chief among them.
Athletes have had to come up with different means of training be it weights or a pool in the back yard but now the Dutch squad are back in the water.
Arno Kamminga; Photo Courtesy: Foto Giorgio Scala / Deepbluemedia /Insidefoto
Breaststroke specialist Kamminga had a scorching start to 2020 and in March he propelled himself to third all-time in the 100 breaststroke in 58.43 and second-fastest European in history in 2:07.18 at the Antwerp Open.
In an interview with Swimming World shortly after the Antwerp meet, the 24-year-old insisted he was looking to maintain his form in the long-term and showed little anxiety in what may happen should Tokyo 2020 be postponed.
Now Kamminga has underlined his confidence and lack of concern over the delay to the Olympics which will now start in July 2021.
In an interview with nos.nl, Kamminga said:
“I’m taking bigger steps than the rest, much bigger steps. I’m sure I can go on with those steps. So I think the rest is more scared than I am.”
So too is he embracing competition with his Netherlands team-mates, saying:
“Just with our team, everyone in their own job. But then imitating a competition setting. In order to keep that stimulus and motivation, and to challenge yourself.”
Kamminga is coached at the National Training Centre in Amsterdam by national coach Mark Faber who emphasised the importance of the swimmer regaining his feel for the water.
“It really is that it feels different for swimmers if they do not touch the water for a while. You have to rebuild that feeling. And often it takes longer to build it up, than get rid of it.
“As trainers and swimmers, we talk about rustiness. You can see that the fine coordination, motor skills and flexibility disappear somewhat.”
Liz, 2:07.96 is from Budapest (2019 Fina World Cup) and with that he was approximately the 5th in European history after Chupkov, Gyurta, Jamieson and Wilby.
In Atwerp he swam 2:07.54 (prelim) and 2:07.18 (final) on the same day and became the 2nd fastest.
Amended now and thank you for alerting me. It was correct in previous articles re Arno.