Saskya Kistnasani of Ballito has been a “water baby” since she was six-months-old.
She is now 13-years-old and set four new records at Umhlali Preparatory School's Top 10 Swimming Gala. These records were made in the 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 50m breaststroke and the 100m individual medley.
“My goal now is to represent my country at the African Swimming Championships, World Swimming Championships, the Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics,” said Saskya of Ballito.
She attended ‘Learn to Swim’ as a toddler, and Dominique Donner Rod, a former South African triathlete, became her school swimming coach in grade 1.
“I like swimming because it's peaceful. I practice five to six days a week at Ashton Swimming Academy in Ballito with my coach, Luke Verwey," said Saskya, whose favourite swimmer is gold medallist Tatijana Smith.
She has participated in many competitions, from inter-school and club to interprovincial and international level.
“Last November, I represented South Africa in the Biathle/Triathle World Championships in Bali. I won a gold for the girls age 13 team in biathle, and a bronze medal for an individual event in the girl age 13 category.
"I compete in swimming, biathlon, biathle and athletics (track and field) events. Biathlon is an 800m run and a 100m swim. There is a break between both events. Biathle is an 800m run followed by a 100m swim and another 800m run. It is a continuous sequence; with no break in between.”
Some of her biggest accomplishments include being the current South African record holder for the girls 13 biathlon set in Stellenbosch in 2023; and winning three silver and two bronze medals at the South Africa Schools Swimming Championships this year in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).
Saskya was selected for the KZN High Performance Swimming Team that places her among the top 34 girls in the province, across all ages, including open water swimmers.
She said the KZN High Performance squad system was designed to cultivate excellence through a structured approach and encourage development to higher levels of swimming. Saskya also won one silver and two bronze medals at the SA National Junior Swimming Championships this year at Kings Park in Durban.
“Aside from swimming, biathlon and biathles, I love adventure obstacle racing, eating Thai food and drinking Boba. I also love family time, fishing and the beach."
Her favourite subjects in school are natural science and geography and she wants to be a physiotherapist working with athletes, or a chemical engineer.
“My greatest supporters are my parents, sister and grannies. My coaches, Philani Majola, Luke Verwey and Aristo Nolan are also supportive, as are my friends, family and school community.
"I am grateful to my parents for their love and their time. They take me to every training session and to all my galas and events. I would not be able to achieve any of this if it were not for them."
Her mom, Yogandree, is a pathologist, and her dad, Prenolin, an orthopedic surgeon.
"We started Saskya in swimming because she loved the water. Her swimming abilities and talent was brought to our attention by her coach at school, Dominique. She told us Saskya was a talented swimmer and that we should consider enrolling her at a swimming club. This, of course, was unheard of. We were never exposed to swimming nor were we swimmers,” said Yogandree.
She said her daughter was hard-working, driven, motivated and focused.
"Even with all her achievements, she remains humble, kind and grounded. The only time she stands out is when she competes in the pool or on the track."
Yogandree added that another stand-out quality about Saskya was that she did not own a cell phone.
“It is unusual for a 13-year-old but she finds no need for it at this stage. She makes use of my spare phone when she is out at an event for contact purposes. Her busy schedule with academics, sports and training leaves little time distractions.
"In her spare time, she prefers to spend time outdoors with her family and friends. More often than not, one will find her running around on the beach, fishing with her dad or swimming with her sister, Sarvani."
Sarvani, aged seven, also represented KZN in the SA Biathlon earlier this year. She did not place as a top contender but she was the youngest competitor (six years old at the time) in the championship to make the qualifying criteria.
Saskya's next competition is the South Africa National Biathle Competition in East London from August 9 to 10, where she will represent KZN. She will also compete in the SA Short Course Swimming Championships at Kings Park in Durban in September.