News from Palau’s National pool concerning all Oceania Aquatics National Federations competing in the Pacific Mini Games finals on day 1 of the Games – June 30th 2025
Cook Islands at the double
A fantastic start to these Games for the Cook Islands in the pool with Jacob Story and Mia Laban winning two medals each on day one. Jacob, who trains in Auckland with Mount Eden Swim Club, powered to gold in the 200m Breaststroke with a blistering new personal best time of 2:13:71, seeing off the nearest competition by over 5 seconds.
It’s clearly a strong discipline with the swimmer, one which he describes as his ‘favourite event’. Silver was the colour for Jacob in the 100m Individual Medley, just 0.83 seconds shy of back to back gold medals.
Mia found success herself in the 100m Individual Medley. After qualifying 4th in the morning heats with a time of 1:08.04, she improved by over a second to propel herself into the silver medal position with 1:06.88 when it counted in the final. To cap a successful day she also took bronze in the 50m Backstroke. Speaking about representing the Cook Islands after her swim she commented,
‘It’s always nice to wear my country’s flag on my cap.’
Leading the way for Federated States of Micronesia
It’s been a good 24 hours for Kestra Kihleng. She’s a veteran of six World Championships and the Paris Olympics, who now trains in Thailand under the World Aquatics Scholarship. Kestra was a proud flagbearer for her country at the Opening Ceremony and followed up on Day 1 in the pool for in the Women’s 100m Individual Medley. In addition, Katerson Moya qualified for the Men’s 50m Backstroke Final where the 18 year old placed 6th in a time of 27.74 seconds and broke a National Record.
Medals at the treble for Fiji
Fiji were represented by 11 swimmers in the swimming finals on day one of competition, before going on to pick up 3 medals.
It’s been a proud start to the Games for Kelera Mudunasoko 17. Just 24 hours after being the flagbearer for Fiji at the Opening Ceremony she swam to silver in the Women’s 200m Breaststroke. Afterwards, she explained how important her race plan had been in her success;
“I just had to visualise what I had to do and then it went out well.”
The eight lengths being completed in a time of 2.41.46. Just 1.5 seconds outside the National Record held by Matelita Buadromo from 2011.
Fiji’s first medal of the competition in the pool came earlier when Hansel McCaig clinched bronze in the 50 metres Backstroke Final. The 21-year-old clocked a time of 25.68 seconds, a new National Record beating his own time from two years ago by over half a second. Needless, to say he was happy after the race;
‘In the morning we had quite a long hold so I was trying to pull myself up as late as possible, I had a decent start. To the 15m I was pretty good. The turn was a bit sloppy, but I tried to work off the wall, to get a better position. I was hugging the lane rope on the way back but it turned out alright. A medal is a medal so I’m happy regardless.’
The medal adds to his gold won at the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands in 2023.
The evening session in the pool was rounded off with another silver medal and another National Record for the 4 x 100m Freestyle men’s team of Reuben Taylor, Hansel McCaig, Livai Raviko and David Young. They came home in 3.26.73. They acknowledged it was a tough race, just missing out to Tahiti for the gold.
‘We knew the competition was very tough as Tahiti came out strong. We were just short but an amazing performance and a national record by 7 seconds. A win’s a win and we got up on the podium.’
This was the second time the relay team had beaten the National Record in the day after Don Younger and Samuel Yalimaiwai helped see them through in the earlier heats.
Guam’s promising Start in Palau
Guam have a youthful team in Palau with an average age of 18. Nevertheless, the team of five are not to be underestimated. Namely, Amaya Bolliinger, Ocean Campus, Jaden Francis, Israel Poppe and Mia Lee. It was the latter, 17 year old Mia who showed strength beyond her years, by just narrowly missing out on a medal in the 100m Individual Medley finals by under 0.5 seconds. Her time 1:08.04 had her placed 4th, a new personal best beating her own National Record.
The strength that Mia showed in her final is borne out of her preparations as an elite swimmer that few people see. She spoke about her preparation for major championships;
‘Ocean swims, jellyfish stings, pool closures, simply continuing to push through those challenges has been my greatest achievement.”
Northern Mariana Islands quickly off the blocks
Northern Marianas were off the blocks quickly on the opening day of the swimming competition, with two gold medals, two bronze medals, five individual National Records, and two relay records. A phenomenal start for the Pacific island nation.
Isaiah Roger Aleksenko delivered two stellar performances in the 50m Backstroke and 100m Individual Medley, taking gold in both events. His win in the Individual Medley was particularly remarkable, stepping in at the last minute and breaking the National Record.
“You know, 100 IM is not really my specialty. I’ve never really done the 100 IM. I’m not an IM-er, but one of my teammates scratched out of it, so I had to do it. But I’m very proud to represent NMI once again.”
The success didn’t stop there. Northern Marianas also celebrated two bronze medals; one in the 200m Breaststroke and another in the Men’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay.
Despite battling nerves ahead of her race, 2024 NMSA Student Athlete of the Year Maria Corazon Ayson Batallones powered through to claim bronze in the 200m Breaststroke. The 17-year-old spoke candidly about her trust in her training and teammates.
“During my race… honestly I was very unsure but I didn’t want to doubt my training and everyone’s hard work. I was really scared before I went on the block and I tried to just use what I know and the last 50 I really pulled through.”
True to the Pacific spirit, Aleksenko expressed heartfelt appreciation for the host nation Palau.
“I’m very happy to come back to Palau because I think it’s the best place to host the Pacific Games because it’s actually really beautiful and the people here are very nice, I love it here, it’s amazing.The atmosphere is amazing because everyone here is supportive and I really like the environment that Palau has given us. Thank you so much.”
Proud start for Palau
Host nation Palau had swimmers in 4 finals on Day 1. Team member Kazuumi Nestor from Airai shared his pride in representing his country shortly after finishing the 50m Backstroke Final in a time of 26.40.
‘We were aiming for this event from almost a year ago, because we already knew it was going to be in Palau. So we trained in this pool a lot. We also went to Australia for two weeks and trained. I didn’t think I would make the finals this morning. I was aiming for a bronze in the final but just missed it by a little bit. I’m very proud to represent Palau.’
Travis Sakurai reached the 400m Freestyle Final, and the Men’s 4 x 100m freestyle team finished 5th in their Final.
Silver for Papua New Guinea
A great start in the pool for Papua New Guinea saw Jhnayali Tokome-Garap take their first medal with her silver in the 50m Backstroke Final with a new National Record time of 29.88. The previous National Record of 29.98 had stood since 2008.
‘My heart was beating, I tried to close my eyes to lower my heart rate, I think it was the adrenaline, but I was really excited to be in the finals.’ Jhnayali admitted afterwards.
That adrenaline would have been pumping throughout the race as the top 5 were separated by only 0.63 seconds in the tightly contested race. Not knowing where she had placed as she got out of the pool she described being ‘surprised’ and ‘overwhelmed’ when her lane was called as second place.
Nevertheless, ‘she can’t wait to get her medal and show it to her mum’. Hopefully the first of many successes for Papua New Guinea this week
Samoa start with a splash of bronze
Samoa secured their first medal of the games with an impressive 4:01.31 in the 4x 100m Women’s Freestyle Relay, earning them a well deserved bronze. The team consists of debut swimmer Talia Saumamao who, not only was making her first senior international meet, she also made the 400m Freestyle Final.
An impressive eight out of nine Samoan swimmers qualified for finals, two of which were Nafanua Hamilton and Salani Sa’aga who were also part of the medal winning team. A particularly noteworthy achievement for Nafanua achieving this at the age of 15, the youngest of the four Samoan juniors competing. She is following in her brothers’ (Laauli and Solomona) footsteps into the sport. Brothers who she considers as her role models. Solomona was first to pick up swimming out of the two brothers, having lessons with Samoa’s National Head Coach Suzie Schuster. La’auli then began swimming lessons after watching and admiring his brother, deciding he wanted to follow in his brother’s footsteps. Family is very important for both the Hamilton brothers who mentioned the endless support their family has provided them throughout their careers.
All three Hamilton siblings are competing this week, making it a real family story.
Completing the relay team was Paige Schendelaar-Kemp, with her first race of the Games, making it a very promising start. She will also be representing Samoa in the 4x 50m Medley Relay as well as the 50m Butterfly later in the Games.
After the race the team were ecstatic and rightly proud of their performance, especially since it was their first race together. Sa’aga spoke of the chemistry they have as well as what she called a “symphony of support”. The team talked about the honour of continuing the swimming legacy, with Sa’aga proudly saying,
“It’s really nice that we can be the role models we wanted to have when we were growing up”.
The men’s 4x100m freestyle relay team made it through the heats to the final with a finish time of 3:32.62. The team consisted of Johann Stickland, Hector Junior Langkilde, as well as brothers La’auli Hamilton and Solomona Hamilton. They finished just outside the medals in 4th place.
Five personal bests and a National Record for Tonga
A strong start to day one of competition for Tonga, with the swimmers achieving five personal bests across seven events, including one national record, all achieved in their highly successful heats.
Carolann Farmani made a powerful impact on the opening day, delivering a personal best and setting a new National record in the 100m Individual Medley. This was closely followed by Luseane Latai Limoni who swam her way to two personal bests, with 1:16.87 in the 100m Individual Medley and 34:41 in the 50m Backstroke.
It was a flying start for the Tongan team, with Vaoahi Afu also recording a personal best in the 50m Backstroke, and Alexander Villami achieving a personal best in the 100m Individual Medley. A great way to start their week in the pool.
Vanuatu developing at record pace
Vanuatu are an aquatics nation who are making great strides. Youngest member of the team is Lou -Anne Delrieu at just 14, fresh from competing at the Chess Olympics last year. Most experienced is Robsen Dick aged 25. If anyone ever doubted the determination and hard work that goes into swimming at the highest level, then Robsen is a shining example,
‘He’s been training in the ocean by himself in the lead up to this competition.’ Technical director, Ben Howard told us,
‘He’s been training alone in the ocean just because he wants to live his dream and represent Vanuatu. He has a coach and he’s hoping to start his own swim club and teach people in his local community to swim.’
Their results on day one reinforced the determination and hard work that the team have been putting in. No fewer than 5 National Records and 12 personal bests were gained in the morning heats. National Records went to Leo Lebot and Lou -Anne Delrieu in the Men’s and Women’s 50m Backstroke with times of 32.46 and 36.33 respectively. Lebot followed this performance with another National Record of 1-09-85 in the 100m Individual Medley.
The women’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay team came to the party with Pamela Mesa, Chloe Ameara, Lou-Anne Delrieu and Loane Russet posting 4-58-16 for another National Record. All before Leo Lebot claimed his third National record of the morning alongside Dani Teilemb, Elven Todman and Robsen Dick in the Men’s 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay.
A very pleasing start at these championships for Vanuatu.
Finally news from our non affiliated members New Caledonia and Tahiti:
New Caledonian
It was 2 golds and 4 bronze for New Caledonia in the pool, Manon Baldovini being the stand out performer with two golds from the 200m women’s individual Breastroke and the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Finals. Catching Manon after her individual race she identified the differences that she focussed upon after her morning heat.
‘Well, I knew my start in the morning wasn’t good, so I tried to do something different and produce a better start. I decided not to just go for the first 100 but do the 200 strongly.’
Clara Delunel and Camille Jarcet also picked up two medals each with a gold and bronze each. The male swim team also made a significant contribution to New Caledonia’s medal haul. 18 year old Luke Mercier and 15 year old Yaron Nodanche picked up a bronze each in the 400m Freestyle and 200m Breastroke respectively.
Tahiti
It was a dominant day for Team Tahiti with 11 medals in the pool. Deotille Videau, who yesterday carried the flag of her nation at the Opening Ceremony, led the way in the pool with 3 gold medals in the 50m Backstroke and 100m Individual Medley and 400m Freestyle. She reflected on her 400m race,
‘I swam pretty well…It’s my best time so I’m happy.’
The 16 year old will surely look to add to her haul of 3 medals as she competes in 18 disciplines in total throughout the week.
Nael Roux took home a gold in the 400m Freestyle and bronze in the 100m Individual Medley, and it was a silver each for Keha Desbordes, Enoa Vial and Sosthene Videau. Lili Paillisse also took home a bronze. Team Tahiti wrapped up a very successful day in the team relay disciplines taking gold in the Men’s 4 x 100m Freestyle and silver in the women’s 4 x 100m Freestyle.
Words & interviews: The Reporters’ Academy. Photos: Ryota Nishida