Personal Statement
My name is Toni Sallaku and I’m a breaststroker. Here are some of my proudest achievements in national and international swimming competitions from the past 2 years:
“IDRIZ MUCO” Marathon in Sarande – National – 1st on the 4000m for all ages (51:27.31)
Montenegro Open 2022 LCM – International – 1st on the 50, 100 and 200m Breast for 17-18
Teuta Cup 2022 LCM– International – 1st on the 50, 100 and 200m Breast for 17-18 and +18
“KLAVIO MECA” Cup 2021 SCM – National – 1st on the 50 and 100m, also winner of the cup
KUPA E SHQIPERISE 2021 SCM – National – National Record on the 50m (29.88) – Winner of both cups for 17-18 and +18
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I started swimming under the supervision of my coach when I was 7 and it has been my passion since. My coach prepared me for my first competitive swimming debut when I was 9 (2014) where I actually won 2 second places on 50 and 100 Breaststroke. Since then breaststroke has been my favorite style.
I joined Tirana’s Nobis swimming team where I trained for 6 months before joining my current team - Tirana Delfina Sport (TDS). Shpetim Hoxha is the coach of TDS team and my current coach, which is renowned for training Sidni Hoxha (several national records and olympic swimmer, also known as Albanian swimming GOAT). Thus, he has the experience for training swimmers for national and international championships.
I always maintained a balanced schedule of classes and swimming practice. My favorite time is the summer, when I get to train 10 times a week, 6 hours a day in the open 50 m pool.
After 2 months of training with Coach Hoxha, I entered my first national competition where I won 3 first places - 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, and 100m medley. Since then I have come in first or second place in all the national competition for 50m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, and 200m breaststroke. In addition, I would get competitive times on 50m Freestyle and Butterfly.
As for my academics, I study at the “Gjimnazi Petro Nini Luarasi”, which is ranked as the 1st public high school nationally. With the Albanian program (4 to 10, 4 = F and 10 = A/A+), I’m a near excellent student with mostly 10’s and I average 9.5. I have a keen interest in science and STEM with my favorite subjects being: Math, Physics, Chemistry, English Language and Physical Education. I have participated in several national competitions for mathematics and where I have scored 1st places out of thousands of other students. My achievements are listed below:
Kangaroo 2016 – Winner with more than 80% - International Event
“Faik Konica” 2019 – 3rd place (1st for public Schools) – City Rank
“Nobel” Mathematics Olympiad 2021 – 1st place – City Rank
Official National Mathematics Olympiad for 9th graders – 3rd place – National Rank
Official National Mathematics Olympiad for 10th graders – 1st place – National Rank
Winner of the “Petro Nini Luarasi” Science Olympiad 5vs5 2022– Winner Team, also awarded best mathematician of the event – School Rank
