Wellington test for swimmers
Ateam of seven swimmers from Fiji are currently in Wellington ready to compete in the 13 years and over Wellington Long Course Championships this weekend.
Fiji Swimming coach, Sharon Smith said: “I chose this competition for a couple of reasons.
“Firstly, there are heats and finals which are important because most competitions are straight finals. “Heats and finals allow the swimmers to swim an event twice to work on improving times and getting more swims in.
“Also, some swimmers swim better at night then in the morning. Secondly, I’d like to get swimmers times in early in the year to prepare them for a busy Fiji Swimming programme.
“This also kept everyone training during the holidays which is now finishing off with this competition. Matelita and Herbert are trying to qualify for Tokyo Olympics so this competition is to see where they are and what more is needed before the New Zealand open in March/April which is an Olympic qualifier”. Manager Joanne Kunatuba said she wants to ensure the swimmers enjoy the competition as well as do their best in the water.
“Parents invest a bit financially to provide this opportunity to their swimmer and part of this is really to help build their confidence in competing overseas.
800 Swimmers
The competition will have over 800 competitors with swimmers from all over New Zealand with competition over three days from today to Tuesday.
The races are 50m, 100m, 200m freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke and 800m and 1500m freestyle.
Fiji Swimming representative and 2018 male swimmer of the year, Herbert Rabua said: “I am looking forward to the high level of competition.
“It is quite rare to have this level of competition so early in the year, so this is a great opportunity for not only me but the other young swimmers from Fiji, competing this weekend.
I am hoping to build on my performance going forward”.
The two youngest in the team, Salanieta Kunatuba, who is 14 years old and Che Taito, 13, said they were grateful for the opportunity to swim in the Wellington competition and are looking to better their personal best times.
Great Start
The swimmers fly back to Fiji on the Tuesday giving them a great head start to the Fiji Swimming 2020 long course competition which begins in February
- Fiji Swimming