At just 19 years old, she has already competed at two Olympic Games — Tokyo and Paris. She is Guyana’s youngest Olympian and has been the country’s top female swimmer since the age of 15, the same year she stepped confidently onto the Olympic platform in Tokyo and raced against the world’s best in the 50m freestyle.
She didn’t claim a medal at either Games, but her Olympic dream remains very much alive. Now, the teenager has returned to competitive action for the first time since last summer’s Paris Games — and with immediate success.
At a recent swim meet in Barbados, she set a new national record in the 100m butterfly, clocking 1:04.93 to take gold and shaving nearly a full second off her previous best of 1:05.70.
She also added a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle to cap off a strong return to competition.
“The 100 metre butterfly in Barbados was a booster going into the World Championships. It reminded me that as long as I continue to put in the hard work, the result I desire will be achieved,” she told Sportslife360 in an exclusive interview.
Reflecting on her comeback, she added: “It’s been good, definitely special, but it was more so about the result for me.”
There is a calm maturity about her — one that comes from years of competing locally, regionally, and internationally through her youth. With a solid support system behind her, including her mother Holly and father Ivan Persaud, she has remained grounded through it all. Both parents have made significant sacrifices to help her chase her dream.
Currently based in Guyana, she’s training under her old coach Sean Baksh while also completing her university studies. Over the next month, her focus will be firmly on the upcoming 22nd edition of the World Aquatics Championships, which takes place in Singapore from July 11 to August 3.
“Preparations are going well. Currently, I am increasing my mileage to build my stamina so I can finish my races with strong back-end speed. Otherwise, just polishing some details with regards to technique — it’s all about working on the little details to get faster.”
She’ll be swimming in the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle — both fiercely competitive events. But this is an athlete used to taking on the odds.
“No, I am not nervous,” she said. “I would say it’s more anxiousness to see how my hard work translates into results.”
With her eyes firmly set on another major stage, she’s got a plan — and she intends to execute it this August, as Guyana and the rest of the world look on.
