Teenage para-swimmer working hard to represent at the international level

Inspired by the courage of Dexroy Creese, 16 -year -old amputee, Kentreal Kydd wants to emulate and even go a step further.

Creese, became St Vincent and the Grenadines’ first Paralympian when he attended the 2020 Tokyo Games in Japan last year.
However, it was Creese who sought Kydd and introduced him to the sport.

Dexroy Creese, SVG’s first Paralympian

Kydd admitted to SEARCHLIGHT, “ I didn’t know much about Swimming but it was Dexroy who introduced me to the sport, thereafter I fell in love with it”.

Kydd therefore has been involved in Swimming for the past seven months, as part of the Black Sands Swim Squad and has participated in three local championships as well as one in Barbados.

Competing in last weekend’s SVG Gallagher Swim Championships, Kydd was able to better his times in his events, achievements that have warmed his heart.

Reflecting on his performance, Kydd said, “ it feels good, it was a great experience as well”.

Preparing to go the extra mile, the Central Leeward Secondary School student, disclosed that he is training very hard.

“I am hoping to go to the Paralympics and the Commonwealth Games and I am training hard to get to these Games and even win medals.”

Such is his commitment to Swimming that Kydd, who lives in Layou has taken up temporary residence with his Coach, Kyle Dougan during the August vacation, so he can get to train regularly at the Shrewsbury Aquatic Centre at Ratho Mill.

Kydd though would like to see others get into Swimming but admitted that there are not many persons with disabilities, who may have the passion to venture out like him.

“My manager, Mr Rudi Daniel said that he wanted a female to get into swimming, but there are hardly any girls in St Vincent and the Grenadines with such disabilities and impediments”, said the well -articulated Kydd.

Diagnosed with cancer at the age of 13, Kydd had his left leg amputated, but never allowed it to daunt his spirit.

His period of hospitalization, though, stalled his progress in school, as he was kept back by one year.

Unfazed by his amputation, Kydd has accepted his challenge and notes that he lives a “normal” life.

“I move around with everyone… I act the same and everyone accepts me with my disability and they don’t look at me in anyway”, Kydd concluded.