10-year-old Kaii Winkler recently broke the 10 and under National Age Group Record in the 200 freestyle. He recorded a time of 1:57.75 this past Saturday at the Gulliver Winter Classic in Florida. He split the race in 27.05, 29.57, 30.57, and 30.59. The record was one of the older ones still on the books – belonging to Mitchell Stoehr from 2003. Only one 10 & under record, in either gender or course, was older – Chas Morton’s 1982 200 IM.
Winkler’s swimming recently earned him Honorable Mention for the 2016 Swammy Awards Age Group Swimmer of the Year — 10 & under award. Throughout 2016 he earned a spot in USA Swimming’s 10 & under top ten 12 times for his performances in free, fly, and IM. Below is a list of the events and corresponding rankings for the events Winkler earned top ten in for the 2015-2016 season.
- #2 in the 200 and 500 yard freestyle
- #3 in the 100 fly and the 100 and 400 meter freestyle
- #5 in the 100 and 200 IM
- #6 in the 200 meter freestyle, and the 50 and 100 meter fly
- #7 in the 100 yard freestyle
He was also ranked first as a 9-year-old in short course yards and second as a 10-year-old in long course meters in IMX rankings for the 2015-16 swim season. In addition, the 10-year-old also owns multiple Florida Gulf Coast swimming records in freestyle and butterfly events.
Check out his National Age Group Record breaking 200 freestyle below.
Today Kaii backed up the 200 record from 2 weeks ago with a new NAG in the 500 free, he swam a time trial all by himself at the Area 3 Developmental Champs at SOFLO.
He lowered the existing record of 5:15.14 to 5:08.77
Here is the swim:)
https://youtu.be/HNvSfhRW9Tk
Hi:)
I am Kaii’s dad:) was a swimmer myself and are aware of the brought up “age old” problematic of pushing kids too hard too early for a long term career.
Kaii swims 2-6 sessions per week, most the time it ends up being 4 and it’s usually between 3500 up to 6500 yards depending on the day and at what point of his prep they are. They do a lot of legs too. I do plenty of athletics on other days that compensate his body for all the swimming on his stomach.
Kaii’s brother Finn is 14 months older and just as good as Kaii in most the events so that brotherly rivalry helps in practice… Read more »
Dirk, this comment sounds akin to those of crazy swim parents. Be careful of how much pressure you put on Kai and his progression throughout his swimming career. Also, remember this is Kai that has these accomplishments, NOT you
I think we have our new Phelps! Swimming is saved! Praise Poseidon!
Herzlichen Glückwunsch
Danke
Wow I’ve never seen a wedge on a block at an age group meet.
Congrats.
Quite and impressive kid.
People always assume that when a kid is this fast that he over trains and will get burnt out. Kai is friends with my son and we know the truth – he loves, music, skateboarding, traveling, modeling and swimming. Kai keep doing your thing. Josh and I are very proud of you.
Thank you Johnathan! You guys rock!!