Turning Practice Into Performance

“It’s not all about medals, but how you execute what you work at in practice. As for the Olympics, that’s every kid’s dream.” - Josh Liendo

By David Grossman

The transformation has been something in the category of brilliance.

A little known youngster who grew up in Trinidad, Josh Liendo is now on a record-blazing clip in water. So much so, that he’s on Swimming Canada’s national team.

His mother, Claudette, figured her son had the grace and makings of a gymnast. His father, Ramon, a baseball fan, thought otherwise. Ask Liendo about his favorite sport, and he’ll talk about wanting to be a wide receiver and play professional football.  It was likely at age eight that Liendo got the bug – the one to focus on a future in swimming.

When you put things in perspective these days, this astute and energized young man is something exceptional to watch – and even moreso in a pool packed with competitive swimmers.

Liendo was born in Toronto’s eastern suburb of Scarborough, and left with his family for the Caribbean nation, only to return to Canada at the age of nine. There was a time, Liendo recalled, when he would sit at his home in Barataria, glued to the television and fascinated at watching swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time.

Little did he know, that when he was 16 he would be faster in the 100-metre butterfly than Phelps had been at the same age.

Having learned to swim at age three, Liendo figured making it to the world stage in swimming would be some kind of treat. For awhile, he was anonymous to many in the swim community. Now, Liendo is a trailblazer.

A rising swimming star, he may have only been eligible to drive a car at 16, but his certification to excel – especially in the butterfly event – came much sooner. He has already competed internationally in Fiji, Argentina, Hungary, South Korea, and the list continues to grow.

At age 13 when Liendo broke his first Ontario age class record (in the 100-metre butterfly) at the Canadian Junior Nationals in Calgary. Ontario and Canada’s swim community had discovered a dominant entity.

“I took swimming really seriously at age 14, when my mind was set on a National record – and I barely missed it,” he said. “I decided to focus on my technique, my turns and training much harder.”

Liendo still talks about 2017 being a special year for him. That’s when he set a Canadian record for 13-14 boys, in the 100-metre butterfly and clocked in 55.6 seconds.

“When I set my mind on something, I can do a lot,” said Liendo. “It’s not all about medals, but how you execute what you work at in practice. As for the Olympics, that’s every kid’s dream.”

Continuing on his improvement, Liendo was chosen 2019 Canadian Male Junior Swimmer of the Year – and for good reason.

At the 2019 Canadian Swimming Trials, Liendo qualified for the FINA World Championships, his first senior national team by finishing second in the 100-metre butterfly and breaking the 15-17 national age group record. A week later, he lowered that record again at the Eastern Canadian Championships. His time of 52.13 seconds for the 100-metre butterfly was also quicker than the American 15-16 National Age Group Record held by Luca Urlando, who had a bettered the mark left by Michael Phelps the previous year.

Liendo is a recipient of a from Dr. Jeno Tihanyi bursary, honouring an individual with a remarkable legacy in Canadian swimming and one who emphasized improvement over performance. Tihanyi, inducted to the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, influenced and coached Alex Baumann, who won two gold medals and set a pair of world records at the 1984 Olympics.

While some may say that putting Liendo in an elite category might be pushing it a bit, others remain convinced and confident that he is deserving of the accolades.

Dazzling in water, Liendo has additional radiance outside of it.

Liendo speaks highly of his coaches, several individuals who have worked hard at helping him improve speed times, turns and techniques. Renowned Canadian Murray Drudge, who passed away suddenly in 2020, coached Liendo at the North York Aquatic Club when he won three medals (one individual and two on relay teams) at the World Junior championships.

Eddie Toro, the Director of Performance with NYAC, coached Liendo for three years.

“He had times in 2018 that would have ranked at the world stage for his age class – he rivalled the best,” said Toro. “Swimming is one thing. He’s so humble, respectful and his humility gives him an opportunity to learn. He’s hungry for excellence. I admire him in so many ways and am so proud to have been part of his journey.”

Philip Garcia was Liendo’s first coach at TORCH, the first club that he trained with.

“He was about eight years old and that first time he walked out on the deck of the pool, and after I introduced myself, I distinctly remember what he said,” recalled Garcia. “(Liendo) said that one day he’ll win an Olympic medal for Canada. Never had I ever had a swimmer, at that age, say that before – and with such confidence.”

Garcia understands commitment and what leads to improvement. It didn’t take much time for him to notice Liendo’s natural talent and his thirst to learn.

“There were signs, even before he got into the water – he listened, there was great eye contact, alertness and he was focussed,” added Garcia, who proudly acknowledged that Liendo broke two Ontario age group  records during his tenure.

“It’s easy for a young athlete with success to be cocky. Not him. (Liendo) is respectful of his peers, coaches and shines a light. This young talent is something special.”

Liendo now trains with the High Performance Centre Ontario at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre and is coached by Ben Titley, responsible for a core group of Canada’s finest swimmers.

He was the only black swimmer on Canada’s senior national swim team last year. He said race has never been an issue for him in swimming, and embraces his position as a role model.

“I believe the culture of swimming is different from other sports and I don’t feel any stereotype,” said Liendo. “I have never come across racial issues. Kids come to me and ask for advice – and I tell them. Coaches have treated me very well and maybe that’s because I have showed them that I want to learn and they see I have so much to gain.

“As a visual minority, I see myself as getting kids active, being a leader for other young people in all minorities. It’s important that kids with talent don’t miss out on opportunities. With hard work, they have a chance to be as successful as me. Everybody is good at something.”

Swimming isn’t his only addiction to water. Liendo, currently completing his high school education, is fascinated with sealife, fish and plants and wants to study marine biology in  university. And when it’s time to chill out, take a breather from swimming and academics, Liendo is an accomplished musician. In past, he played the double bass and cello in the school orchestra and was also in the jazz band. For Liendo, his favorite time to relax is when he turns to his acoustic electric guitar at home, and let’s loose with one of his favorite tunes, Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”.

David Grossman is a veteran award-winning Journalist, Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.