Velimir hates being second, mother says

Dubai: Velimir Stjepanovic's mother Anna says anything better than a place in the finals would be a bonus for the young swimmer at the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore next month.

"Of course we keep thinking of a medal for him. Everybody who competes wants to win, but we would be happy if he makes it to the finals," Anna told Gulf News as the 16 year old trained.

Underestimated

"We always underestimated him as a swimmer and we never thought he was capable of doing well in competitions. But he went to prove us wrong. He always does better than what we think he will. So anything better than the finals in Singapore would be a bonus," she said.

To Anna, Velimir is a child who does not need too much coaxing, especially when it comes to swimming.

"He is a child who does not need any push from us. He is responsible and he has always taken his swimming very seriously. He tries to do everything in the best possible way and we really don't have to push him. We have only supported him all the way. In fact, he pushes us when it comes to swimming," Anna said.

Velimir was born and brought up in Dubai. His parents Anna and Milan, a mechanical engineer, moved here when their elder son Alex was 17 weeks old.

"He [Velimir] hates being second, he always wants to win, he is a fighter," his proud mother said.