Tall, fit and strong – Winmalee water polo player Sam Nangle will represent Australia in the Junior Water Polo World Championships in Serbia next month.
The 18-year-old Winmalee High student has been selected in the 13-member under 20s team and will head to Europe in late July for a three-week tour versing European teams before the championships begin on August 5.
“We have a strong team and should do pretty well overseas,” Nangle said, tipping Serbia as the team to beat.
As a left-hander playing centre forward, the 192cm, 100kg teen hopes to make it difficult for his opposition.
“A centre forward is used to marking right-handers so defending left-handers screws them up a bit,” he said with a laugh.
Nangle travels to Sydney Olympic Park for training at least eight times a week, and plays water polo for the UNSW Wests Magpies Club.
“My mindset is that I want to do every training and in some cases that’s not always possible. It’s knowing when to take a break,” he said. “I’m trying to stay fit and not get injured.”
Last year he made the Australian team competing in the FINA Youth Water Polo World Championships where they lost by a goal to Croatia in the quarter finals.
From age six Nangle swam with Springwood Swimming Club, moving to Blue Mountains Water Polo Club at 11 and his current club at 13.
