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The Three-Year Swim Club: The Untold Story of Maui's Sugar Ditch Kids and Their Quest for Olympic Glory

Name: The Three-Year Swim Club: The Untold Story of Maui's Sugar Ditch Kids and Their Quest for Olympic Glory
Price: 15.39 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.3 (657 reviews)

4.30 of 5 Stars: Water Sports - The Three-Year Swim Club: The Untold Story of Maui's Sugar Ditch Kids and Their Quest for Olympic Glory

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Book Synopsis: The New York Times bestselling inspirational story of impoverished children who transformed themselves into world-class swimmers. In 1937, a schoolteacher on the island of Maui challenged a group of poverty-stricken sugar plantation kids to swim upstream against the current of their circumstance. The goal? To become Olympians. They faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The children were Japanese-American and were malnourished and barefoot. They had no pool; they trained in the filthy irrigation ditches that snaked down from the mountains into the sugarcane fields. Their future was in those same fields, working alongside their parents in virtual slavery, known not by their names but by numbered tags that hung around their necks. Their teacher, Soichi Sakamoto, was an ordinary man whose swimming ability didn't extend much beyond treading water.

In spite of everything, including the virulent anti-Japanese sentiment of the late 1930s, in their first year the children outraced Olympic athletes twice their size; in their second year, they were national and international champs, shattering American and world records and making headlines from L.A. to Nazi Germany. In their third year, they'd be declared the greatest swimmers in the world. But they'd also face their greatest obstacle: the dawning of a world war and the cancellation of the Games. Still, on the battlefield, they'd become the 20th century's most celebrated heroes, and in 1948, they'd have one last chance for Olympic glory.

They were the Three-Year Swim Club. This is their story.

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Discover the incredible true story of the Three-Year Swim Club, a group of poverty-stricken children who defied the odds to become world-class swimmers. Immerse yourself in the inspiring tale of triumph over adversity, set against the backdrop of Maui's sugar plantations in the late 1930s. With their meager resources and limited opportunities, these Japanese-American children faced unimaginable challenges, yet they chose to swim upstream, striving towards their dream of Olympic glory.

Join us on a journey of determination as these barefoot and malnourished kids train tirelessly in the dirty irrigation ditches that flowed through the sugarcane fields. Witness their astonishing rise from unknown underdogs to national and international champions, shattering records and capturing the hearts of a nation. Despite the prevailing anti-Japanese sentiment of the time, these young swimmers refused to let anything hold them back.

Be inspired by the extraordinary teacher, Soichi Sakamoto, who brought together this motley crew of aspiring athletes. Despite lacking swimming expertise himself, Sakamoto instilled in them the belief that they could achieve greatness. Through his guidance and the unwavering spirit of the children, they would overcome all obstacles to become the greatest swimmers in the world.

Witness their journey through history as they face the cancellation of the Games due to World War II. However, their heroism transcends the swimming pool as they become celebrated war heroes on the battlefield. And in 1948, they're given one last shot at Olympic glory, a chance to showcase their incredible talents to the world.

Don't miss out on the gripping and uplifting story of the Three-Year Swim Club, a tale that will leave you inspired and in awe of the human spirit. Dive into the pages and experience their remarkable journey towards Olympic greatness. Be part of their legacy. Get your copy now!

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