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Michael Andrew Says He Doesn’t Regret Turning Pro

6TH FINA WORLD JUNIOR SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Michael Andrew raced in two finals on Thursday, the 2nd day of the FINA World Junior Championships. He took a bronze medal in his first event, the 100 breaststroke, but then in the 200 IM to end the session he finished 8th in a 2:07.27 – more than 8 seconds slower than his World Junior Record from March of this year.

In spite of the up-and-down year he’s had since finishing 4th at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials and becoming the youngest American under 1 minute in the 100 meter breaststroke, Andrew says that he doesn’t regret turning pro and skipping college. With the World Junior Championships being his last big junior-aged international racing opportunity, and at 18 years old, he’s the age where most of his peers in the United States are preparing for their first semester of college.

In the below interview, Andrew describes his USRPT training, talks about the decision to turn pro, and discusses his open relationship with God.

 

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Swimmer?
7 years ago

For all of you atheists and antchrists in the comment section, don’t hate on MA. Some of the smartest men in the world were and are Christian. If you think that they can’t be scientific well then better do some research. Even if he doesn’t train with Eddie Reese or Troy, he is one of the hardest workers in the world. Christians apparently cannot talk about their love for God without being shushed. The first amendment goes to I can live how I want, to you should believe what I believe, if you can’t listen to MA then nobody should listen to you.

Greg
7 years ago

What makes him “go professional”?
Sorry, but I am an Australian and don’t understand how the US swimming system works.

Bring back the days of amateur sports.

Dudeman
Reply to  Greg
7 years ago

“amateur sports” are the reason why people stopped swimming at 20-21 years old, they had to go out and get jobs to support themselves and had to stop swimming to do so. Many of the greatest swimmers of all time have emerged in the last 20 or so year because they can make money from the sport and continue swimming after college

Benjamin
7 years ago

Mr. Andrew is a very talented young swimmer who is exploring new ways to train & having some success with it all. Good for him! Though I miss the days when one’s interior life was a more personal, private thing I can’t fault him for speaking of what makes him get up every morning & motivate his day.

lee
7 years ago

pretty amazing swimmer.. trying to think of others with this all round ability

SwimGeek
Reply to  lee
7 years ago

Dressel. He can absolutely swim all 4 strokes.

Rafael
Reply to  SwimGeek
7 years ago

Has anyone ever medalled on World/Olympic on all 5 Strokes individually? Phelps could medal on back but never did right? Katinka on 4 except Breast? (Think Those 2 are the top examples)

marklewis
Reply to  Rafael
7 years ago

Katinka has medaled in the fly, back, IM and free. Her free medals came in SC.

I think her versatility all came together in that 400 IM in Rio. She blew the field away.

Swimmer?
Reply to  Rafael
7 years ago

Phelps did get Silver at Panpacs in 2006 second to AP. His 100 back was 53.01 in 2007 (fingernail off the world record) and 1:54.6 in 200 back which was also freaking close to the wr then. He simply had too many events but imo he could POTENTIALLY have gotten 10 gold medals at 08

Nswim
Reply to  SwimGeek
7 years ago

What are his backstroke times? I know Dressel is a fantastic at butterfly and freestyle (duh) and apparently his breaststroke has been used on Floridas medley relay several times.

Person
Reply to  Nswim
7 years ago

If I’m not mistaken he’s been 54 LCM in season. Based on his drops in other 100s due to tapering he could go at least 53, maybe 52.

Dudeman
Reply to  lee
7 years ago

florent manadou was quite amazing at all the 50’s as well, vlad morozov was too.

SchoolingFTW
Reply to  Dudeman
7 years ago

Didn’t Manadou also win 50 m breast gold medal in Euro champs?

Hello SwimSwamSwum
7 years ago

Was he home-schooled as a highschooler?

Mr G
Reply to  Hello SwimSwamSwum
7 years ago

Too bad about his 200 IM final. I hope Micheal starts college, maybe just one or two classes per semester. Or a move to Gainesville may also work.

crooked donald
Reply to  Hello SwimSwamSwum
7 years ago

yes

ArtVanDeLegh10
7 years ago

This kid is like the Colin Kaepernick of swimming. Just the mention of his name elicits a debate.

sven
Reply to  ArtVanDeLegh10
7 years ago

I imagine they’re big fans of Kaepernick over there in the Andrew Family.

DLswim
7 years ago

I’m still not sold on his training regimen. MA is undoubtedly one of the greatest age group swimmers ever, and with that kind of incredible talent, I would have expected him to have Phelps-like (or maybe Thorpe-like) performances in the world stage. And yet, his performances, which by normal standards are pretty good, don’t approach Phelps’ at all. I would venture to say that with proper training, he would have made the Olympic team last year in several events.

sven
Reply to  DLswim
7 years ago

Keep in mind how much the landscape of elite swimming has changed since Phelps was 15. Very few people were swimming past 25 due to less money in the sport. Pablo was considered old for sticking around until 1992, now that’s average. The field is so crowded nowadays, and the rest of the world is catching up to the US every year.. I don’t think there can be another Phelps. I definitely don’t think any 15 year old males are going to set WR’s for a long, long time.

I said this on another thread, but why are we so sure that MA has “incredible” talent that is being squandered? Yeah, he’s always been fast for his age, but that’s… Read more »

SchoolingFTW
Reply to  DLswim
7 years ago

Just to remind you,
Thorpe became double World Champion at the age of 15, and broke several WRs soon after. Phelps broke WR at the age of 15 and became world champion soon after.

All MA did was breaking NAG records. So. really I think it’s your own fault for expecting too much from MA.

Philip Johnson
Reply to  SchoolingFTW
7 years ago

Really? Not everyone can be Thorpe. He’s one of the greatest ever. So should MA give up now because he hasn’t equaled or better Thorpe at the age of 15?

marklewis
7 years ago

What will Michael be doing instead of going to college with his peers?

Hang out with his family and do some sprints in the backyard pool? And going to swim meets?

sven
Reply to  marklewis
7 years ago

I believe that Tina said something about Liberty University having an online college program, so I assume he’ll take some classes through that. I know she voiced reservations about letting her son go to a more traditional college due to the sex, drugs, and liberal professors.

And, yeah, probably some sprints in the backyard pool and going to swim meets.

Abe Froman
Reply to  sven
7 years ago

I bet the Liberty Coach has his power towers ready

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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