ITSMe – Kevin Rose Nasution was introduced to the world of swimming from early childhood. Raised in a swimming family from Indonesia, he underwent rigorous training, chased competitive achievements, and eventually earned a place on the national team. However, life's path led him away from the competition pool before he finally returned in a different role: guiding the next generation of swimmers.
Today, Kevin works actively as a swimming coach in Senayan, Jakarta. In an interview with ITSMe host Raisha at Senayan, he shared the Story of his journey as an athlete, the struggles he faced when stepping away from competitive swimming, and how he rediscovered the true meaning of sport through coaching and Running.
Kevin is the fourth of five children born to Radja Mursinal Nasution and his wife. His three older sisters Elfira Rosa, Maya Masita, and Elsa Manora had already pursued competitive swimming long before Kevin followed in their footsteps. His younger brother Muhammad Akbar Nasution also went on to become a national swimmer.
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Raised To Be A Swimmer
Kevin explained that his interest in swimming grew when his parents regularly brought him to the pool to accompany his older siblings during training sessions. He later took up the sport formally under the direct guidance of his father, who was well known for enforcing strict training discipline.
One of Kevin's earliest competitive achievements came when he represented Jambi Province at the national inter-provincial championship at just 8 years old. He would go on to serve on the Indonesian national swimming team, progressing from the junior to senior squad over approximately six years.
But the path to athletic success came with trade-offs. Rigorous training and competition dominated nearly every aspect of his life from childhood. As the fourth child, Kevin also had to navigate quiet rivalry with his own older siblings.
Leaving The Pool To Forge A New Path
In 1998, after competing at the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia, Kevin made the decision to withdraw from the national training centre. This choice became a major turning point in his life. After years of relentless training and chasing competitive medals, Kevin wanted to experience normal life outside of the swimming pool.
He first ventured into the entertainment industry, working as a photo model and joining teen magazine modelling competitions. However, this new world never fully felt right for him. After spending most of his life on the strict routine of training and competition, Kevin was going through a period of exploring new experiences while trying to find his identity beyond being an athlete.
Even as he tried a different path, swimming always remained an integral part of his life. All the experience he accumulated over years as an athlete became invaluable when he eventually returned to the sport - this time not chasing personal achievements, but instead mentoring and developing the next generation of swimmers.
Returning To The Pool, Passing On Experience
Kevin continued his family's swimming legacy through Pari Sakti Swimming Club, the club founded by his father in 1996. Together with his younger brother Muhammad Akbar Nasution, he took on responsibility for continuing the club's athlete development programme.
Today, Kevin stands poolside once again in Senayan, Jakarta, this time as a coach. He passes on his hard-earned experience to children learning to swim, while also supporting them to build their skills and courage in the sport.
For a former athlete, the firsthand experience of going through gruelling training, high-stakes competition, and performance pressure gives him unique understanding of what young swimmers go through. Proper coaching is not only about technical skill: it is also about teaching healthy learning processes, building consistency, and nurturing the courage to pursue one's full potential.
Finding Joy Through Running
Outside of swimming, Kevin now regularly enjoys Running. For Kevin, running is his personal me time: an activity where he can exercise entirely according to his own mood and physical limits.
For him, sport does not always have to revolve around competition targets. Running allows him to stay fit while enjoying physical activity without the same high pressure he faced as a professional athlete.
Kevin's journey shows how his entire perspective on sport has transformed. Once, he fought to chase personal competitive records in the pool. Today, he passes on his knowledge to Young Generations, and finds genuine happiness in the Sports he chooses to practice for himself.
From a child raised under strict athletic discipline to becoming a coach, Kevin carries life experiences that he can pass down to young swimmers. The core message from his journey is this: have the courage to dream, stay consistent in your efforts, and be willing to find your own path.
Today, Kevin no longer chases his own personal race times. Instead, he helps children discover their own capabilities, and gives them the courage to take steps towards their own dreams.
