As 2024 was coming to a close, Sam was gearing up for his first World Championships campaign, marking a significant milestone in his sporting journey.
“I was fortunate that university had finished for the year leading up to the event, which allowed me to focus entirely on preparing, but the qualifier event in New Zealand coincided with my exam period which presented its own challenges!” Sam explains.
As a recipient of Massey’s International Travel Sport Fund, Sam received financial assistance towards his trip to Budapest which meant having the opportunity to race at a world level for the first time. He says this experience was incredibly valuable, as it opened his eyes to so many learnings.
“Being able to attend this event showed me the level of training, preparation and mental rehearsal required to compete at this standard. Outside of the competition itself, being present at such a prestigious event was inspiring. I connected with other high-performing athletes, learned from their experiences and immersed myself in the energy and spirit of international competition. This experience has solidified my commitment to my sport and reinforced my passion for pursuing excellence.
“I also got to witness 24 world records being broken in person – a once-in-a-lifetime experience!” he says.
While Sam was unable to achieve the exact goals set by himself and his coach, he says even coming close has made a huge difference in his journey.
“As it was my first time competing internationally, I knew it was going to be a significant challenge to achieve the goals set. However, the event has helped me identify areas where I need to improve and pinpoint weaknesses to focus on in the upcoming training cycles. It challenged me to perform on a global stage, pushing me out of my comfort zone and testing my physical and mental resilience.”
Sam Brown representing New Zealand at the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Hungary.
Sam is currently working towards a Bachelor of Business, with a major in management and a minor in human resource management and employment relations through part-time study. He says it’s the support he’s received through Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University that has helped him excel academically and athletically.
“Part-time study is a great fit for me, as it enables me to manage my workload while also committing to over 20 hours of training a week. Massey has been incredibly supportive, granting extensions on assignments and exams during the week of the Championships and period of the qualifying meet for the World Championships. Their assistance is seamless and supportive, and the provision of sport resources was also very informative and easy to access.”
Sam placed 22nd in the 100 Individual Medley, 34th in the 200 Individual Medley, 23rd in the 400 Individual Medley and 30th in the 200 Backstroke. He is now looking forward to the New Zealand Championships in May, which is a qualifier for the World Championships in Singapore in July.
“The overall goal is to make the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. Along the way, I’m focused on making several New Zealand teams, including the Commonwealth Games in 2026, the New Zealand Pan Pacific team and the World Cup and World Championship teams,” Sam says.
Reflecting on his journey so far, Sam says balancing sport and academics has become crucial for his mental wellbeing.
“It keeps me busy and provides a healthy distance from swimming, helping me maintain perspective. Setting goals outside of swimming has given me a strong sense of purpose and fulfilment, enriching my overall journey.”
Follow Sam on his Instagram to keep up with his athlete journey: @ssambrown_
About the International Sport Travel Fund
The Massey University International Sport Travel Fund is currently open for applications, with the semester one funding round closing on the first day of semester one, Monday 24 February, for events between 24 February and 13 July. The semester two round will then open until 14 July, covering events held from then until 16 November.
Click here for more information on the eligibility criteria and to complete an application. Student athletes can contact hpc@massey.ac.nz for further enquiries.
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