Calum gets hands on the prize - if only for a month

Lochaber swimmer Calum Stewart has finally been presented with the prize he was denied when producing a run of remarkable performances at the 2022 North District Swimming Championships at the end of March last year.

 

In the seven events he took part in Calum won five - 50m front crawl, butterfly and breaststroke, as well as the 100m front crawl and breaststroke. He finished second in the 50m and 100m back crawl.

 

Surprisingly, however, he was not awarded the trophy for the best 13-year-old swimmer at the meet.

 

Coach Steven Martin said: "I just couldn't understand with such an outstanding performance in all four strokes and at both 50m and 100 events that he wouldn't win what is the ultimate accolade for the swimmers."

 

Almost a year went by in which Calum got a Gold 50m front crawl and two silvers, 50m butterfly and 100m front crawl, at the Scottish Age Group Championships in Glasgow.

 

Then a couple of weeks before this year's North District competition the club was contacted in relation to returning the trophy.

 

Needless to say it took a great deal of conversation between the club, Calum's parents and the North District Swim committee to realise that the coveted prize had never been returned by the winner of the 2020 championship.

 

Then Covid came in 2021 and the championships were cancelled.

 

So Calum was presented with the trophy at part one of this year's competition and has to hand it back next week when the second part takes place.

 

So eventually Calum got the trophy he deserved if for only one month.

 

Nevertheless an amazing achievement for one of the smallest clubs taking part.