Swimming is a demanding sport that requires immense dedication, commitment, and consistency. Anthony Chiu, known for his fun and light-hearted character and hard working mindset has certainly stepped up over the years and made himself a key pillar of the Hawks swim team. As a result of all the time he has put into the sport, he is now a captain of the team, having swum for the team for 4 years, and is a perfect example of how hard work and consistency will pay off.
However, just like many skilled athletes, Anthony started his swimming journey at the young age of 8 years old. At first, he began swimming lessons just for the life skill, however the sport peaked his interest and before he knew it, he had joined the Blue Dolphins at the Edison YMCA. His early start allowed him to master the fundamentals early on, giving him an edge over many others.
After being on Blue Dolphins for a couple of years, he joined several other teams, and eventually settled down on Riptide, the swim team for the Piscataway YMCA. Due to his strong fundamentals, he was able to develop an incredibly smooth and efficient technique, allowing him to develop his speed much easier. Finally, after spending immense amounts of time and hard work practicing, Anthony has become one of the best breastrokers on the team, with a time of 29.25 seconds for 50 yards, and a time of 1:02.59 for 100 yards!
His best events include the 100 yard breaststroke, which is his favorite, and the 200 yard individual medley. However, his talent for swimming is far from a full description of his character and all that he offers to the team, as he is a “super fun and quirky” person as described by fellow swimmer Arnav Landge. “He definitely will get a smile on your face if you have a chat with him,” said Joshua Chiu, another fellow swimmer.
Throughout this season, he has been an incredibly dominant swimmer on the team and in competitions. During the Greater Middlesex Championships, he placed 2nd, 4th, and 6th respectively in the 100 yard breast, 200 yard free relay, and 400 yard free relay. More than just for his accomplishments on the team, Anthony wishes to be remembered as “someone with strong leadership qualities” that one “would not hesitate to ask for advice”.
Anthony’s contributions to the Hawks swimming team have been significant over the course of his years. He will undoubtedly be missed by his fellow swimmers and coaches. After graduating from John P. Stevens, he aspires to pursue a career in medicine and nursing, with the hopes of becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). With his warm and friendly personality combined with his dedication and hard working mindset, he certainly has a bright future ahead of him as he dives into the next chapter in his life.
