Charlie Gibbons, made an impressive start to his competition at the 22nd World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Singapore, racing to a new personal best in the Men’s 100m Freestyle.
At just 15 years old, Charlie is not only the youngest on Team Palau but also the youngest swimmer in the entire Oceania group at this meet. Competing in heat 4, he lined up alongside fellow Oceania swimmer Katerson Moya from the Federated States of Micronesia in an event packed with Pacific island talent, with athletes from Vanuatu, PNG, Guam, Tonga and the Solomon Islands also contesting the Men’s 100m Freestyle.
Charlie entered the race with a previous best of 59.25, set last year at the XIII OSA Championships in Australia. With a reaction time of 0.63, the fastest in his heat, he got off to a flying start and powered through the water to touch the wall in 57.23, taking more than two seconds off his personal best.
“It felt good on the first half,” he said. “The second 50 I really tried pushing it. I really tried just giving it all. I only swim two times here, so might as well do a good time, which I did. I got a personal best, so I’m happy.”
His race preparation focused on keeping his body fuelled and loose: “Loading up on carbs and nutrients. Mostly just stretching, a lot of stretching!” he explained. He also credited his coach’s key advice going into the race: “Swim your own race. Don’t worry about the other people. Just focus on yourself.”
As he stepped out onto the pool deck, Charlie admitted the moment wasn’t without nerves. “I was really nervous. It was definitely bigger than Budapest,” he said, referring to his World Championships debut at the short course event in 2024. “But it was really fun. Once I dove into the water, I just knew what to do from then on.”
Being the youngest in his heat didn’t faze him, if anything, it added to the experience. “My whole body I could feel shivering,” he said. “I just try to focus on myself and on what I’m going to do. I’m nervous in that environment, but I know it’s a good experience.”
Charlie, who competed as part of the host nation at last year’s Pacific Mini Games in Palau, is also part of the same Worlds team as teammate Kazuumi Nestor, a connection that speaks to Palau’s growing presence in international swimming.
With one event left in his schedule: the 100m Butterfly on Day 6, Charlie already knows what comes next. “Just the same thing: load up on carbs and make sure to properly warm down and warm up. Tomorrow I don’t have any swims, so I’m going to really focus on my recovery and mentally prepare for Friday.”
–Ends–
Written by The Reporters Academy