Cochrane’s Max Schapowal is in Croatia training for the 20-year-old-and-under (20U) men’s FINA World Water Polo Championships.
The Bow Valley High School Grade 12 has been training daily in Calgary with Canada’s men’s team, and is in Croatia for a month playing elite water club polo ahead of the Sept. 4-13 FINA world tourney in Kazakhstan.
He’s one of 14 players Canada is taking to 20U worlds.
“I’ve never gone with the summer team before,” the 17-year-old said of travelling with Team Canada. “I’ve been training all year for it.”
And training, and training, and training . . .
“During the year, when I’m training with the senior guys, we’re practising 10 times a week. Probably like four hours a day in the pool and an hour in the gym,” Schapowal said of his relentless regimen six days a week. He gets Sundays off. He trains with the senior men’s national team in Calgary and plays club water polo with Calgary Wild.
Team Canada 20U men are in Croatia all of August playing top European club teams to prepare for the rigors of playing the world’s best in Kazakhstan. Schapowal doesn’t sugar-coat Canada’s chances at 20U FINA Worlds.
“We’re not too great for our age, but the older guys, the senior team, is doing pretty well,” he assesses. At some point, the teen Cochranite wants to take his game, and Canada’s, to the next level.
“I want to go to the Olympics obviously,” he states. “After that, I’m not too sure. Hopefully I’ll be able to play pro in Europe for a couple of years.
“I’m really excited.”
Canada’s senior men’s team finished ninth at the FINA World senior men’s water polo championships wrapped up Aug. 8 in Kazan, Russia.
