Timeline

- First strokes>

- On the team

- Achievements

- Beijing in sight

At the age of nine, Dervis was diagnosed with an eye condition called Macular Dystrophy Stargardt’s, which meant he was losing his central vision in both eyes. In defiance of this news, Dervis set out to prove that his disability would not stand in the way of success.

Within one year, he had twice won the inter schools high jump competition and became the London individual sailing champion. During this time, he began to learn how to swim.

The following year saw Dervis become one of only two students to achieve their one-mile swimming certificate, little did he know that this was the start to his exciting swimming career.

It was soon after this that he meet Michelle Weltman, a former Israeli swimming record holder turn coach, who had coached athletes to international level.