Sir Daniel Kejval
swimming is my life
About My Life
My name is Daniel Kejval. I was born in 2003 and came into the world very prematurely. Due to health complications during birth, I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, which affects my physical movement. When I was young, my parents made the decision to move our family to the south of England, settling in the beautiful city of Brighton. It was there that I grew up, surrounded by the sea and a supportive community.
From Brighton to Prague
After 12 years in England, I moved to Prague. Adjusting to life in a new country was a big change, but over time, I settled in. I joined a local swimming group there, where they taught me some of the basics of swimming and helped me improve.
My Education
My Education and Journey into Swimming. Over the years, I continued my education at several different schools. After St. Andrew’s, I attended Blatchington Mill School in Brighton. Later, after moving to the Czech Republic, I joined Primary School Podbělohorská in Prague 5. I eventually completed my basic education at Primary School Jedličkův ústav in Prague, a school well-known for supporting students with physical disabilities. When it came time to look for a college, my parents and I searched for the right place that would meet both my academic needs and support my passion for swimming. That’s when we found Olga Havlová’s Academy in Janské Lázně, located in the north of the Czech Republic. It felt like the perfect choice — not only was it a respected school, but it also had its own swimming pool. For me, it was a no-brainer. I worked hard, passed the entrance exams, and was accepted. After starting at the academy, I also joined the local swimming club Lokomotiva Trutnov, where I continue to train and grow as a swimmer.
Journey into Swimming
My journey into swimming wasn’t easy. Before I could actively train, I had to do a lot of physical exercises — something I’ve been doing since birth. Because of my cerebral palsy, learning to walk took enormous effort and determination. Over the years, I tried several different sports, exploring what my body could do and finding new ways to stay active and strong. Eventually, swimming became my favourite, not just for the sport itself, but because of the freedom and strength I feel in the water.
My Title
For my 18th birthday, I received a very special and unforgettable gift from my parents — a legal Title Deed Poll. With this official British documentation, I became a landowner in the historic town of Dartmouth, in the south-west of England. Alongside this, I obtained the legal right to call myself by a new title: Sir Daniel Kejval of Dartmouth. The title “Sir” is traditionally an honour for knights, originating from the Old French word sieur. Although mine is a seated title, not a knighthood, the experience of holding land and a title in a town with such rich history has been incredibly meaningful. The land was purchased from the estate of Lord Andrew Bulpin of Copythorne and Dartmouth, making the whole gesture even more special. Dartmouth is a place of deep royal and naval tradition — famously, it’s where Queen Elizabeth first met Prince Philip. I can’t think of a better place to own land.
