Swimming Photos and Swimming news courtesy of Funkita, a SwimSwam partner.
Having just been announced the 2015 British University & College Sports (BUCS) Sports Woman of the Year we caught up with British butterfly specialist Aimee Willmott at her recent swimwear photo shoot for Aussie label Funkita as she gets set for the World Championships.
The daughter of 1984 Olympic swimmer Stuart Willmott, Aimee was destined for life in the pool. Swim meets were a family affair in the Willmott household with sister Chloe also competing, Mum providing food and Dad driving to events around the UK. Last year, Aimee moved from the family environment to train with the London Aquatics Centre Performance Programme under Lisa Bates to create the best training environment in the lead up to Rio.
Aimee wears the Colour Run print by Aussie swimwear label Funkita.
Aimee has already competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and 2014 Games in Glasgow where she won silver medals in the 400 metre individual medley and 200 metres butterfly. With Rio in sight, Aimee is using the World Championships as valuable competition experience.
“I’m hoping to make my first world final this year and have the chance to swim in a final session at one of the biggest swimming events in the world, and get a feel for what the pressures of Rio 2016 will be like.”
Aimee wears the latest Funkita one piece in Golden Arms.
“I’ve also heard that the venue is amazing, so I’m really excited to see what the atmosphere will be like. With the World Championships only a year before the Olympics it’s the last chance to race on the world stage so I’ll be trying to make sure I learn as much as possible in preparation for Rio.”
Competing in arguably one of the most difficult events in the pool (400 individual medley) Aimee knows a thing or two about physical strength and endurance. She believes the World Championships will be a real test of mental strength.
“My main event, the 400IM will be on the final day of the meet, and as it’s eight days long I think the biggest challenge for me will be staying focused and concentrating on my own performance.”
Aimee at the London Aquatic Centre wears the Mystic Mermaid print by Funkita.
Aimee finished university commitments in May so the build up to the Championships has been all about eating, sleeping and training.
“I love swimming and I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t. The feeling you get after a great session is one of the best things about hard training. After all the training I love race day knowing I’ve put all the hard work in and this is my time to show everyone and myself what I can do. My parents have obviously put so much time, money and effort into giving me the best chance to succeed in the pool so when I race I hope to do well for them too. Also, having an awesome swimwear brand like Funkita behind me gives me confidence in my own ability and helps to make training in such great costumes comfortable and colorful!”
Funkita took the chance to photograph Aimee at her London Aquatic Centre base in the new Dividing Lines collection and Aimee decked out her entire squad on their training camp at the BEST centre in Mallorca.
Aimee and her LAC team wearing their matching Funky Trunks and Funkita swimwear
The new Dividing Lines collection is now available on www.funkita.com or you can get your hands on Funky Trunks at www.funkytrunks.com
Aimee shows her true colours with the Funkita Flag Tags print and her Union Jack flag.
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