The Regular Guy Breaking Records: Meet Atenean Swimmer Ivo Nikolai Enot

On breaking records while staying humble, plus his ongoing quest for the perfect party

Walk past Ivo Nikolai Enot on campus and you’d never guess you just crossed paths with a national record holder who’s competed on international stages. “Aside from swimming, I think I’m really just an ordinary student trying to study and survive in such a competitive environment,” he says with characteristic humility. “If you see me walking around campus, you probably wouldn’t guess anything special about me—I’d just look like a regular Atenean.”

It’s this unassuming attitude that makes Ivo so compelling. Despite breaking national records and representing the country internationally, he’s managed to stay refreshingly down-to-earth—something his strong support system helps maintain. “Having coaches, teammates, friends, and of course my family help me stay grounded,” he explains.

But don’t mistake his modesty for lack of competitive fire. In the pool, Ivo’s learned to master one of the most crucial skills any athlete can develop: staying ice-cold under pressure. “One lesson I’ve really taken from the pool is learning to stay calm under pressure,” he explains, slipping naturally between English and Filipino. “Kasi sa swimming, every second counts, so panicking only makes things worse—talo ka na.”

That same composure translates perfectly to student life. “Same din sa school life, kapag sabay-sabay na yung exams at deadlines, I just remind myself to focus on what I can control, one step at a time. Parang ganun, it keeps me steady kahit stressful.”

If his weekly routine were a class, Ivo would call it “Finding Function 101″—and no, he doesn’t mean the math kind. “Kasi sa dami ng ginagawa, I’m always looking for that one ‘function’—not math, but a party or something fun, just to de-stress and recharge.”

Behind the medals and records lies a more personal struggle that keeps him human. The routine is relentless: early morning training, rushing to class without breakfast, grabbing late brunch, more classes, then back to training. But the real challenge? “What I still struggle with the most is living far from my family. Even though I’ve been here in Ateneo since 2022, homesickness still kicks in, and that’s something I continue to find hard to cope with.”

Introducing Ivo:

• Biggest turn-on: Maka-Diyos (God-fearing)
• Ideal first date: Chill
• His type: AURA
• Instant happiness: McDonald’s Crispy Chicken Fillet Meal
• How friends describe him: Makulit (playful troublemaker)
• Love life status: 🙅🏻📘🏊🏻 (nope, books, swimming)

Between breaking records and acing exams, Ivo’s found his own formula for staying grounded: good friends who appreciate his makulit side, the occasional “function,” and a trusty McDonald’s run when everything gets overwhelming. Not bad for someone who insists he’s just a regular Atenean.