London Roar’s Toussaint Changes Course To Stay In Budapest

Dutch national record holder Kira Toussaint has been a formidable member of the International Swimming League (ISL) team of London Roar through just the first week of season 2.

The 26-year-old backstroke ace amassed 47.5 points in the most recent match against DC Trident, Aqua Centurions, and Iron, ranking her 7th among the match 2’s MVP rankings.

Toussaint had originally planned on returning to her training group in her native Netherlands at the beginning of November to continue her journey to the postponed 2020 Olympic Games. However, per her social media announcement, Toussaint has changed course and decided to stay with her Roar teammates in the Budapest bubble.

“Just very happy to be here. I feel safe and feeling very fortunate to be able to compete at a very high level. I think I won’t have this opportunity anywhere else before the Olympics. That’s why I have decided to stay and roar 🦁 with @isl_londonroar for the whole journey. My original plan was to join my training group at home from November 2nd on. #ISL2020 #roarforlondon”

Toussaint’s times in Budapest have been among her best-ever, with her 25.75 50m backstroke skins opening round swim matching her own national record from last year.

The former Tennessee Vol is surrounded by Roar teammates to the tune of Germany’s Christian DienerGreece’s Andreas Vazaios, Britain’s Anna Hopkin and fellow female backstroker Kathleen Dawson of Scotland, creating a dynamic and, reflected by her times, effective training group.

Toussaint told SwimSwam today, “While being here I realized how good we have it here [in Budapest]. Here I know I for sure I can train well and get to compete on a very high level.”

In terms of how her training works logistically, Toussaint said, “I’m doing my own practices from my home coach while Mel Marshall is helping me out with them here.”

There are several other Dutch swimmers competing in this season 2 of the ISL, such as match #2’s MVP Ranomi Kromowidjojo, competing for Iron. But others have backed off, including European Short Course champion Arno Kamminga who opted out of the ISL altogether.

 

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Troyy
3 years ago

Her leaving midway through would’ve been a big blow for London. It’s already gonna be a big ask for them to make the final without the Aussies.

Togger
3 years ago

Do we know how they’re training in Budapest? Do they workout in ISL teams or just on their own/with any of home training group who are out there?

Texas
Reply to  Togger
3 years ago

Would be nice to have some live training video stream or something

Rachel Wander
Reply to  Togger
3 years ago

If you look on the instagram pages there are some videos of workouts. It looks like they’re training as teams but doing lots of different things, like one group might do more long course.

Coach Mike 1952
3 years ago

More power to her!

Texas
Reply to  Coach Mike 1952
3 years ago

Gotta make that money

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Texas
3 years ago

Yes & more than that too – racing at a high level like she said, to stay sharp.

About Retta Race

Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having just earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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