Freshman Aamir Motiwala (Karachi, Pakistan/Karachi Grammar School) of the Ohio Wesleyan men's swimming & diving team recently competed in the Pakistan Swimming Federation's 33rd National Games.  He placed third in the 200-meter (LC) freestyle, second in the 400-meter (LC) freestyle, and his 800-meter (LC) freestyle relay team placed first.

Motiwala feels a true sense of honor and privilege in competing for his country and he is extremely grateful for the opportunity.  He hopes to continue improving during his time at Ohio Wesleyan.

"I want to hopefully break a school record in my time here and (continue) to do well at my nationals meets every year back home," said Motiwala.

He would like to represent Pakistan in more international swimming competitions and raise the intensity level of swimming in Pakistan.  This national meet is significant because swimmers have only one chance to showcase their skills there each year.  Pakistan also has only a few big meets the entire year in swimming.

Motiwala hit a personal record in the 400-meter freestyle at nationals, and has done so in the 100-yard butterfly and 1650-yard freestyle at Ohio Wesleyan's Corbiere-Merion Invitational meet this season.

"My season has had its ups and downs, but I think overall it has been going well and I am really enjoying it," said Motiwala.

Richard Hawes, Ohio Wesleyan men's & women's swimming & diving coach, believes that Motiwala's experience in competing for his national championship brings a new perspective to the team.  The majority of Ohio Wesleyan's swimmers come from the United States, where swimming at the national team championship is rare.

"Having a team member that is one of the top swimmers in their country gives the entire OWU team a sense of pride and accomplishment," said Hawes.

Hawes believes that international competitions are a great opportunity for swimmers like Motiwala and he encourages them to compete whenever possible.  Hawes has coached another swimmer from Pakistan, Usman Javaid '10, who also competed in international competitions for Pakistan, so having another Pakistani swimmer compete at that level is not new for him.

"I am proud of our program's history of diversity with swimmers from many countries," said Hawes.  "It makes us all more aware and (helps us) understand each other's differences."

Coaching international swimmers is different in many ways and can be complicated.  There are many factors involved, such as cultural differences, timing of international meets, and how to prepare best for them.

U.S. collegiate swim teams compete in short-course yards (25-yard pools), while international competitions take place in either short-course meters (25-meter pools) or in long-course meters (50-meter or Olympic-sized pools).  Preparing Motiwala to compete in a long-course, 50-meter pool while he trains in a short-course, 25-yard pool is an ongoing challenge for Hawes.

"I am so very lucky to have the opportunity to work with international athletes and look forward to doing so in the future," said Hawes.

Motiwala has been selected by the Pakistan National Team to represent Pakistan in the East Asian Games later this year.