Thousands of miles from the pool decks where his journey began in Jamaica, Kaheem Lozer continues to chart a bold new course in the world of elite swimming.

In fact, the former Kaizen Swim Club standout and national representative is making waves in Hungary, literally and figuratively, as he embraces the next chapter of his blossoming career.

Lozer is turning heads at the ongoing 2025 Hungarian National Swimming Championships, as he clocked a flat 25.00s to qualify for the 50m butterfly finals at the three-day meet, which ends on Saturday.

But beyond the times and finishes at the Csik Ferenc Swimming Pool in Kaposvár, it is the journey that is shaping Lozer into more than just a swimmer. It is forging a mindset.

Kaheem Lozer catches his breath after a race.

“I started training nine weeks ago for this competition. We started in an aerobic phase, then slowly moved into a sprint phase over about six weeks. Towards the end of that, we did a two-week camp in Austria focusing on technique and race readiness. After that camp, it was all about fine-tuning. I feel mentally prepared and ready, and I’m hoping the times will show,” Lozer told SportsMax.TV.

While his goals, to drop into the 24-low range for the 50m butterfly and crack sub-55 for the 100m butterfly, are sharp and realistic, the larger aim is qualification for the World Championships. If not, Lozer is hoping to, at the very least, walk away with new personal bests.

“I know it is easier said than done, but I have been putting in the work, so it is just for me to execute each race as best as I can. Once I do that, then I am hopeful that the times will come,” he shared.

Kaheem Lozer in butterfly action in Thailand.

Lozer’s journey has been anything but ordinary. After earning a World Aquatics scholarship, Lozer spent a transformative year training at Thanyapura Health & Sports Resort in Thailand—a facility revered for hosting some of the sport’s best, including Olympic legends Adam Peaty and Mollie O’Callaghan.

“Receiving the scholarship for Thailand was one of the best swimming experiences I’ve had,” Lozer said.

“The high level of training and the opportunity to compete in new places really helped me grow. It gave me a firsthand look at what it takes to be world-class,” he added.

Kaheem Lozer (left) celebrates his podium finish with competitors.

That hunger for growth led him to Hungary, where he now trains with Vasas Swim Club in Budapest while pursuing academic studies at the Corvinus University of Budapest. No stranger to balancing school and sport, Lozer credits the dual commitment with building a stronger mindset and sharpening his physical edge.

“Being here for both school and swimming has helped me develop a stronger mindset. The training has significantly improved me physically. It's been filled with new experiences, and I'm learning more about myself every day,” the Wolmer’s Boys alumnus stated.

Still, the 20-year-old is no stranger to high-level competition. Since beginning his competitive journey in 2017, he has amassed an impressive résumé.

From earning Jamaica’s first-ever 50m butterfly gold medal in the 15-16 age group at the 2021 CCCAN Championships to representing the country at the 2022 World Junior Championships in Peru—where he was the highest-ranked Jamaican male in the 50m fly—his upward trajectory is hard to ignore.

More recently, Lozer represented Jamaica with distinction at multiple competitions in Asia, collecting 11 medals across three meets in 2023 and 2024. His steady climb through the ranks of Caribbean and international swimming continues to position him as one of the most promising male butterfly specialists in Jamaica’s history.

However, Lozer knows that the journey to greatness is a marathon, not a sprint. He remains focused on mastering the fine details, trusting in the process, and staying grounded in the sacrifices that have gotten him this far.

“For me, making an Olympic team would be a great accomplishment to show for all the hard work and the sacrifices my family and I have had to make over the years, and I am working towards bringing that vision to fruition," Lozer ended.