5 Reasons Why Olympic Rookie Jordan Wilimovsky is Set to Dominate

United States' Jordan Wilimovsky celebrates after winning the gold medal in the men's 10km open water swim competition at the Swimming World Championships in Kazan, Russia, Monday, July 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits)

Photo Courtesy: Sergei Grits

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

By Melissa Berkay, Swimming World College Intern

Jordan Wilimovsky‘s second place finish in the 1500 freestyle at the US Olympic Trials secured him yet another slot on the 2016 Olympic Team. Wilimovsky’s first place finish in the 10K at the 2015 FINA Open Water World Championships earned him one of the first spots on the 2016 Olympic Team. Wilimovsky is the first American to have qualified for both pool and open water events in the same year at the Olympic Games.

If he finals in the 1500 freestyle in Rio, he will be racing the 1500 on August 13, and then gearing up for the 10K open water race on August 16. This production will involve swift recovery time, exceptional endurance, and true grit on his part, all of which Wilimovsky happens to possess.

Here are five reasons to watch out for this distance powerhouse in Rio…

1. He’s had a steady upward trajectory over the past four years.

Photo Courtesy: NU Sports

Before devoting his life to competitive swimming, Wilimovsky played water polo and surfed. He started swimming at age 9 and was once refused admittance to a summer swimming camp due to his inability to swim a 1:50 in the 100-yard freestyle.

Since then, his career has skyrocketed thanks to serious training which has led to success on national and international stages. Wilimovsky finished 17th in the 1500m freestyle at the 2012 Olympic Trials, became a member of the Junior World and National Team from his performance at the 2012 US Open Water Championships, was a 2012 US Summer Junior National Champion in the 1500 meter freestyle, medalled at the 2012 World Junior Open Water Championships, and attained finished second in the 5K and 10K open water races at the 2014 Open Water National Championships.

2. He’s got a pair of Golden Goggles.

Photo Courtesy: Spindrift Beck

At the 2015 Golden Goggle Awards, he was honored with the “Male Race of the Year” award for his prodigious performance in the 10K open water race at the 2015 World Championships.

3. He proves swimmers need not be giants.

Photo Courtesy: AP Photo/Sergei Grits

Wilimovsky is small in stature for a swimmer– standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing in at 145 pounds.

4. He’s a Northwestern University Wildcat.

Northwestern superstar Jordan Wilimovsky dominates in a heavily stacked Michigan State A-final in the 400 IM, winning with a 3:53.82.

Photo Courtesy: Katie Branch

Wilimovsky, 22, is a student at Northwestern University. He is a three-time All-American for the NU Wildcats and a Big Ten Academic All-American. He was the 2015 Big Ten champion in the 1,650 freestyle. He also competed in the 400 IM and the 200 butterfly for the Wildcats. Wilimovsky redshirted during the 2015-16 season to train for Rio and the pool Olympic Trials, knowing he was already a part of the Olympic roster. Wilimovsky trains under coach Dave Kelsheimer, who has been his coach since 2010.

5. He trains like a beast.

Photo Courtesy: Peter Bick

During peak training, Wilimovsky trains approximately 70,000 to 90,000 meters a week, in addition to weight training sessions. Wilimovsky has stated that there is no secret to his success other than setting goals that get progressively more difficult.

Keep an eye on Wilimovsky as he takes his mark in Rio. Check out his Twitter account to follow his updates leading up to the 2016 Olympic Games.

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