It can be said that Mark Spitz started his swimming career at a tender age of 12. he moved along with his family at the age of 6 in Hawaii, where he started to learn swimming. When he was 6, they moved to California at Sacramento and he started competing at the local swimming clubs. He got trained under Sherm Chavoor, from the age of 9, who was the mentor of Mark Spitz and also 6 other medal winners in Olympics.
At the age of 19, he was already holding 1 world record and 17 national age group titles, which started from the age of 10. he again moved to Santa Clara along with his family at the age of 14 and then Mark Spitz started training under the supervision of George Haines at Santa Clara swimming club. He won the 100 meter butterfly in National AAU Championships at the age of 14. it was his first AAU title and he continued to win it for a total of 24 times.
Mark Spitz could not succeed so much in the Olympics of 1968 and a disappointed Mark Spitz went to Indiana University and received training under Doc Counsilman, a well known legendary coach, who continued to coach him in Mexico city. In between 1968 to 1972, at Indiana, he was a student of pre dental and also a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. He won a total of 8 individual titles of NCAA. Mark Spitz was awarded James E. Sullivan Award for his outstanding performance as top amateur athlete in United States of America. He also got the prestigious title of 'World Swimmer of the Year' in 1969 as well as in 1971 along with 1972.
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