Athlete Spotlight: Diana

Each month, we'll get to know one of our STORM athletes.

Meet Diana

• Name: Diana Natalia Deftu

• Age: 13

• How long have you been swimming with STORM? 2 years

What first got you into swimming? I was thrown into a pool and couldn't swim so I asked my mom if I could start swimming so I wouldn't drown

Training & Progress

• Favourite stroke: Butterfly because it's more of a challenge and I'm pretty good at it

• Currently working towards: I want to commit to 200 fly

• Least favourite part of training: The longer distance sessions and doing stroke 1

Competitions & Moments

• Favourite race or competition so far: Oman Nautilus swim meet - I enjoyed the whole experience

• A moment in swimming that made you feel especially proud: When I won gold in my main race and was in the final heat as well

• “I feel like I’m succeeding when…” When my technique is improving and when I swim faster times

Personality

• If you could swim with any famous athlete (swimmer or not!), who would it be? Michael Phelps

• What’s your go-to song before a race or big session? Where’s your head at by Eurotripp

• Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions? Not really, I just stretch and then wait for my race

STORM Experience

• What do you like most about training with STORM? My coach and teammates

• How have the coaches helped you get better? They have always been there for me and helped me improve, even when I wasn't doing as well

• What’s your favourite memory with your teammates? After training, where we would all just stay together and talk for a bit about anything really

Inspiration & Advice

• Who inspires you in sports or life? My team

• What advice would you give a younger swimmer just starting their journey? There is going to be a time in your life when you are going to want to quit. It's important to just keep swimming and see what happens!