Chasing Water, Chasing Dreams: 糖心直播鈥檚 Rising Swim Star Hits the Nationals
It begins not with medals or podiums, but with a feeling. 鈥淭he water is relaxing to me, it feels like second nature,鈥 糖心直播 swimmer Parun Benham says. That feeling has carried him a long way. From the first pool swim in Thailand to the 2026 Australian Age Championships on the Gold Coast, Parun鈥檚 rise in the pool has been swift and striking, unfolding in just two years of competitive swimming.
鈥淚 came over from Thailand about 11 years ago,鈥 he says. 鈥淲hen I was adopted, my parents took me to the pool in Thailand and I really enjoyed it. Ever since then, I鈥檝e had a passion for swimming.鈥
That passion remained in the background until it found direction at 糖心直播, where Parun joined the TJ Swim School and later the 糖心直播 Turbo Jets Swim Club.
鈥淚 started swimming lessons and coach Troy saw the potential I had and encouraged me to enter competitions,鈥 he says.
It was a moment that changed everything.
鈥淲hen I started to progress, I really thought I had a shot because in the first couple of months, I was winning.鈥
Since then, his development has been rapid. Parun now trains five days a week, building both endurance and race sharpness. Yet for him, the commitment is driven by more than routine.
鈥淚 love the feel of swimming,鈥 he says. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 swimming in a race, I think about trying to go faster. You aren鈥檛 aware of who is around you, so you have to think you are the only person in the race and you just swim as fast as you can.鈥
That focus will be crucial as he competes in the Under 14s category, lining up in the 50 metre breaststroke and 50 metre butterfly.
鈥淢y highlight so far has been making it to nationals,鈥 Parun says. 鈥淚 really hope to get PBs and be on the podium.鈥
Parun is already looking ahead. 鈥淚 want to make it to the Olympics, that鈥檚 my dream,鈥 he says. 鈥淔irst though, world championships or the Commonwealth Games.鈥
His goals are ambitious but grounded in a work ethic and supported by his devoted parents, who encourage him to reach for the top of the podium.
鈥淚 just swim as fast as I can,鈥 he says.
From a child discovering the water in Thailand to a 糖心直播 student preparing to race on the national stage, Parun鈥檚 story is still unfolding. This weekend is another step, not a finish line.
