JASON EDWARD DUNFORD, 25, has represented Kenya in many international swimming competitions and won many medals. SHIRLEY GENGA discovers that his success did not come easy

When did you start swimming?

My love for water began when I was three years old — my parents told me I loved being in water. I began swimming at the age of five and then swam competitively for the first time when I was seven.

Tell us a little about yourself and your family...

I have two brothers — an older brother Robert, 27, and younger brother David, 23. My father has always been oceanic. He is enthusiastic about surfing and deep-sea fishing, so we spent a lot of time  at the Kenyan Coast when we were young.?

Which schools did you go to?

I went to Kenton College in Nairobi for my primary school and when I turned 13, I went to Marlborough College in the UK for secondary education. I was following in my elder brother’s footsteps.

Why did you decide not to go to a school that specialised in swimming?

When I was at Kenton College, I got the chance to participate in a variety of sports. I have always loved sports, so I participated in rugby, tennis and running. Marlborough College also offered a variety of sports. I did not want to settle on swimming alone, because I didn’t think I would go far in it. In fact, I assumed my swimming career would be over by the time I was 16. I was good at it, but I could not compare with other children of my age in Australia or America.

What made you realise you could pursue swimming?

In my third year at Marlborough College, a business teacher and swimming coach, Peter O’Sullivan, encouraged me to pursue swimming competitively. He was a former Great Britain international swimmer. He made me realise that with dedication, determination and training, I could break boundaries. I then began to think in terms of competing internationally and also making it for the Olympics in Beijing in 2008.

What happened next?

I dropped all the other sports I was involved in and began concentrating on swimming. I would go to the gym and train in the pool twice a day. Soon I was winning and breaking records at national swimming competitions in Africa.

How did you get to study at Stanford University?

I applied to Stanford for a swimming scholarship and although they told me I was an ‘okay’ swimmer, they did not give me a swimming scholarship. I later earned it after improving my speed.

Who was your coach at Stanford?

Stanford is an Ivy League school, so we trained under one of the best swimming coaches, Skip Kenney, who has since retired.

How was your swimming training regiment?

I would get up at 5:30am to be at the gym at 6am. Afterwards I would swim for one hour 15 minutes before going for breakfast. After class, I would be back at the pool at 2:30pm for a second training session. Because of my intense training schedule, I made sure most of my classes were scheduled for morning hours. I would also try to squeeze in a quick nap before the afternoon training session. The heaviest training days were Mondays and Fridays. We also had an intensive training session on Saturday mornings. My only free day was Sunday.

?When did you find time to socialise?

I would catch up with friends over meals because Sunday was set aside for assignments and reading. It was hard to balance at first, but I adjusted with time. Stanford gave me an incredible experience. I thrived and made many friends.

What do you think was the defining moment in your swimming career?

It was 2007 during the World Championships. I broke the African record in the butterfly stroke and I realised swimming was my forte. To be the best in the continent was a huge accomplishment. Another great moment was representing Kenya for the first time in swimming in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Tell us about your performance at the recent London Olympics…

I was hugely disappointed by my performance. I keep asking myself what could have gone wrong. I thought I was well prepared for it, but I guess things just did not work. It is possible the pressure got to me. Maybe I did not rest enough. When it comes to swimming, you have to find a balance between training and resting. It was evident I had a good speed, but for some reason, I was unable to maintain it.

What did you study at Stanford?

When I was younger, I thought I would do Medicine, but I ended up doing a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology. I am passionate about environmental conservation to ensure we leave a better place for future generations. That is why I did a Masters in Environmental Science. I took a lot of technical courses in Economics and Finance to further understand environmental problems. It is still a growing field, which makes it more interesting and relevant.

What are your plans after the on-going Swimming Championships at Kasarani?

I completed my studies in March and I am taking time off to concentrate on my swimming. I want to participate in the Swimming World Cup Tour, which is equivalent to the diamond league in athletics. I want to compete in Dubai, Qatar, Istanbul, Sweden, Russia, Germany, China, Japan and Singapore  — wherever the tour takes me.

When do you think you will retire from swimming?

I may take a break after the world cup swimming tour, but I am not sure when I will retire. All I know is that I need a break. I have been swimming intensely for eight years, and I think I am due for a break. I look forward to getting a job in the environmental field in the US to give me some experience before I return to Kenya.

Are you dating?

I am actually engaged to Lauren Finzer. She was my classmate when I was doing my undergraduate studies.

What makes her the ‘one’ for you?

I don’t have the exact words to explain that. We just understand one another and enjoy each other’s company. She is extremely passionate about life and serving others. She has been to Kenya a number of times and really loves it.

What do you do for fun?

I love surfing; it is one of my biggest passions. I also love cycling. We recently cycled with my dad at Karura Forest and I really enjoyed it.

?