Sports

TONGAs SWIMMING STARS

The Kingdom of Tonga have never been short on world class athletes - they've competed on the international stage in Boxing, the NFL, Rugby League, AFL, Rugby Union, Taekwondo, netball and now a small group of young swimmers are making waves internationally.

Members of the Malolo Swim club on Pangaimotu Island Resort with netball star Cathrine Tuivaiti

This year alone, they've competed in the Apolima Strait swim (Upolu to Savai'i) in Samoa in April where they not only won but were the youngest team, the Fiji Long Course Nationals in June, the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas, FINA World Championships in Budapest (Andrew Emberson) and four of the swimmers have just recently returned from the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan ... and they're not done.

Tonga swim team on their way back from the Fiji Nationals

The team have set their sights set on the Fiji Short Course nationals at the end of this month, the Victorian age championships in Melbourne, Australia in December and the Anthony Mosse classic in New Zealand at the beginning of 2018.

Coach Vila Day said the swimmers have consistently beaten their Personal Best times throughout the year and in their last outing in Turkmenistan she said they achieved 21 personal best times and set seven national records at the games while taking part in a total of 22 events over four days.

Coach Vila Day with 2 of the swimmers - Noelani & Charissa

“This is a huge achievement given that our local athletes train primarily in the ocean without a proper swimming pool, facilities or high performance coaching,” says Vila "being able to compete at this level is an achievement in itself given their constant struggle against all odds, and then to come out and rack up personal best times and set seven new national records in Short Course Swimming, that was an additional bonus and we are so proud of our swim team.”

“Our swimmers see every challenge as an opportunity for growth and improvement, and are grateful and appreciative of any opportunity to swim for their country.” Vila added.

Swimmers training in the ocean at Pangaimotu Island & the American Wharf in Nuku'alofa

For these young swimmers who have only been swimming for a few years, it's been eye opening to see the world-class facilities in other countries and to have the experience of travelling to countries that very few would have the opportunity to go to.

20 year old Andrew Emberson says "It was great experience, first time away from home. Culture and architecture was amazing, wish we had more time there."

Finau (16yrs) "Loved the hotel, the pool, the food, and made great new friends. Great experience, loved everything"

Noelani (14 yrs) "It was such a blessing and such an incredible experience getting to reppresent my country at such a young age. I loved the atmosphere and vibe of being surrounded and competing against different athletes. I LOVED the food! Malo lahi aupito!"

Looking forward, the team are focusing on achieving their long term goals of making the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Youth Olympics, FINA World Championships and 2019 Pacific Games and then ultimately the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. Judging by their performances this year I'd say they're not going to have a problem with that.

Secretary General of the Tonga Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee, Takitoa Taumoepeau says that they have been striving to connect with their members and that National Federations like Swimming is their priority.

He said that the Swimming club have also done the extra yards of fundraising and seeking sponsorship rather than depending solely on the National Olympic Committee.

"I can say that the Olympic Committee, TASANOC has been pleased with their result and performance. We are pleased with how they conduct themselves as an NF's from both athletes and officials" stated Takitoa.

"I was very emotional watching them in Ashgabat recently during the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which they bid themselves against the top and best of Asia. They were conducting themselves well and we were so proud of their effort and performance. Credit to Vila and officials of Tonga Swimming and the commitment by the athletes/swimmers."

Takitoa also went on to say that they looked forward to working with them through coaching and further training towards future events with funding from IOC and hopefully the Tongan Government and that "it is the beginning of a challenge for our young swimmers & it will be good for all of them."

We wish them well for the next competitions they will be undertaking coming up this year.

If you're visiting in Tonga, check out the Malolo Swim Club facebook page to see where the team are training. They also offer swimming lessons 'Malolo Learn to Swim' for beginners.

By Penina Momoiseā