Nayoung Kim

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  • Current Age Group: 35-40
  • Team you are a part of: Michigan Masters
  • When did you start competitively swimming? I first competed in a swim meet in South Korea in 2021. Since then, I’ve participated in about four swim meets each year, and it’s become a very meaningful part of my life.
  • How long have you been in Michigan Masters? I moved to the U.S. in September 2024 and joined Michigan Masters in February 2025. I’ve competed in two swim meets here so far.
  • What is your favorite swim event/race? 50 Butterfly and 50 Freestyle — I love the power and focus required in sprint events.
  • So far, what was your favorite Masters Swim Meet? The recent Tri-State Tidal Wave LCM Masters Meet! I had a great experience and was thrilled to achieve new personal bests in my events.
  • What is your favorite set? Sprint-focused sets with generous rest intervals — they help me improve speed and technique while keeping things fun and challenging.
  • What is something you need to improve or constantly working on in the pool? I’m currently focusing on improving my starts, dolphin kicks, and breakouts — especially in sprint events. These explosive first seconds make a huge difference in short-distance races, so I’m putting in extra effort to sharpen my technique and drop time.
  • What are your big swim goal(s)? My goal is to continue dropping time in sprint events and eventually qualify for bigger meets like the USMS Nationals or even the World Masters Championships. I also want to challenge myself by competing in new events like the 100 Butterfly and the Individual Medley (IM), which I’ve never raced before.
  • Favorite swim Olympian? Katie Ledecky for her incredible endurance and discipline, and Caeleb Dressel for his explosive speed and athleticism — both are a huge inspiration!
  • What do you like to do outside the pool? I love scuba diving, freediving, surfing, camping, golf and traveling. Exploring nature and new places brings me a lot of joy outside of swimming.