Journey & Training
From basketball to the national team
Five years, one coach, and a training log built around one goal: racing at the highest level reachable.
I started swimming at the age of 12, and in five years have accomplished things I never expected.
Before swimming, I played basketball for four years.
When I started swimming, I initially wanted to continue both sports. Swimming practice began around 4:30 PM and lasted approximately one hour because I was a beginner, followed by basketball practice from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM.
After around four months, managing both became too demanding, so I chose swimming.
I progressed from one level to another and continued improving. After one year, I started working with my current coach, Eduard Cane, the head coach of Te Stela Swimming Academy. I have now worked with him for four years.
We have both sacrificed a lot and worked toward improving my performance, achieving personal bests, and representing Albania.
Klint & coach Eduard Cane
The Progression
Five years, step by step
Started swimming
First international competitions
First European Championship
European Short Course Championships
European Junior Championships
Collegiate swimming
Weekly Training Load
9 swims. 4 lifts. 1 rest day.
1–1.5 hrs
1–1.5 hrs
1–1.5 hrs
Morning sessions (Mon / Wed / Fri): approx. 5:45am, 1–1.5 hours. Afternoon sessions: approx. 4:30–6:30pm, followed by roughly 30 minutes of stretching. Gym: 4 times per week, covering strength, endurance, explosive exercises, plyometrics and power development.
Strength & Power
Current numbers
Also shows strong high vertical jump, running vertical jump, and long jump ability — part of an ongoing power-development program alongside the swim training block.
Technical Strengths
- Strong power-to-size ratio
- Fast and powerful underwater kicking
- Strong backstroke start
- Explosive off the walls
- Gym-developed strength and explosiveness
Current Development
- Improving underwater dolphin-kick efficiency and endurance
- Improving overall backstroke technique
- Refining small technical details and breakouts
- Continuing to develop strength and power
Mindset
Consistency over motivation
I focus on being consistent rather than relying on motivation. I try to understand what I need to improve, take feedback from my coaches, and carry those changes into training and competition.
This mindset has helped me become a better swimmer, but it also helps me become a better person in life.
Beyond the pool
Plays basketball, and is building web and AI projects on the side — see the academics & goals page for where swimming and Computer Science meet.
Academics & Goals →