WHEN Chase Academy’s Philip DeNobrega started swimming he did so for health reasons, with not much thought or aspiration about getting involved in the sport competitively, but as he realised that he had a knack for it that began to change.
At 12 years old little DeNobrega was gaining weight faster than he cared, and felt maybe getting involved in a sport might help and since his sister Steffi was already involved in swimming he thought he’d give it a shot.

“I was kind of overweight for my age and needed to be more physically active. I always admired my sister who was a swimmer of Guyana as well,” the 17-year-old recalled.
Anyone who knows the lean DeNobrega would agree that he achieved his weight-loss objective, but by the time he was shedding the pounds swimming started becoming more than just a health choice for him.

“My performance at each meet has gotten better over the years since I started in 2012. That has led me to where I am now,” he shared.
DeNobrega has now gone from just wanting to be healthier to harbouring Olympic desires. And with the recent offer of a FINA scholarship to train in the United States of America, he feels he’s on the right path to perhaps make that a reality.

“One of my aims would have been to achieve a scholarship, which I have recently obtained. I have goals of using this opportunity to propel my career in swimming to a better level of performance and stage of racing. My ultimate goal is to represent and win for my country at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo,” DeNobrega disclosed.
The former Nations student also looks forward to the peace of mind that he gets.
After a long day of school, I look forward to going to the pool for training; it gives me a lot of tranquillity and I feel at one with the water,”

He also looks forward to the opportunities to get to make his country proud when he performs at meets overseas.
He hasn’t yet represented Guyana internationally. He has made the rounds at a number of regional competitions and represented himself well.
He is a multiple Goodwill Swim Meet silver and bronze medallist and has also represented Guyana at the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) and the ASATT Invitational in Trinidad, CARIFTA Swimming Championships, and the South American Championships in Paraguay.