The sixth and final day of the swimming meet for the Pacific Mini Games, we saw swimmers compete in the Open Water 4 x 1.25K Mixed Relay, 5K Women’s and Men’s 5K, rounding off the competition in an environment that feels close to home for most Pacific islanders. The event was held at the iconic Friendship Bridge, named by Palauan people to “acknowledge and celebrate Japan’s significant contribution” when the original bridge needed rebuilding after its collapse in 1996. An apt place for the Open Water Swim Finals to be held, when friendship, camaraderie and celebration has been a consistent theme for the Pacific island swim teams throughout the competition.
General Secretary of Oceania Aquatics, John West, described the natural fit of an Open Water Swim event at the Pacific Mini Games and the importance of inclusion for all swimmers across the many Pacific nations.
“Open water is a good fit for Pacific Mini Games and Pacific Games because a number of our federations don’t actually have swimming pools, so they train in the ocean. Therefore, it’s a good event to include alongside the pool competitions so that those swimmers that are swimming in the ocean can take advantage of that knowledge and experience in participating in the open water competition.”
Although the Open Water Swim sits under the same competition umbrella as the pool, it’s important to note that the organisation, consideration and execution of the two events are very different. Safety is the utmost priority when it comes to an Open Water event, John West explained
“The environment for open water is much more subject to weather, tides and other things that are not the case when one is swimming in a swimming pool, which is a much more controlled environment. So, for this reason we have a much stronger focus on the safety of the athletes whilst they’re in the water.”
John West continued
“We need to be adaptable and flexible to take account of the weather conditions and any situations that may occur. And so for this reason, there’s much more variability in how we run the competition and the things that we need to take into consideration before we start the races and make sure that it’s a safe environment for the swimmers.”
Reflecting on the Pacific Mini Games first, official Open Water Swim, John West is pleased with the outcome, and it’s clear the Pacific island swimmers not only thrived in this event but enjoyed their experience too. John West added
“I think the competition was very successful. A number of the teams complimented us on the organisation and execution of the event. We were able to run both races relatively close to time and in a way that was satisfactory to all the teams.”
4×1.25K OPEN WATER MIXED RELAY SUCCESS
Open Water 4×1.25K Mixed Relay took place on the sixth and final day of swimming competition, which saw seven Pacific island nations compete, including Fiji, New Caledonia, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tahiti.
Tahiti took Gold finishing at an impressive 48:25.70. The team consists of Lili Paillisse, Nael Roux, Enoa Vial and Deotille Videau, and between them they will be finishing the games with 44 medals. Tahiti is ranked number one for medal standings in swimming throughout the games.
Coming in withh Silver, New Caledonia’s Clara Delunel, Camille Jarcet, Luke Mercier and Yaron Nodanche. They claimed their medal at 50:49.40, making it a noble 20 medals altogether for the Relay team members.
Samoa obtained their final bronze medal, finishing the Open Water Relay in 54:51.40. The team featured Hector Langkilde, Talia Saumamao, Paige Schendelaar-Kemp and Brandon Schuster. The four will take home a total of 23 medals, with Samoa ranking second in swimming medal standings overall.
For Samoa’s coach and swimmer Brandon Schuster, he had an unconventional journey into the Relay. Brandon explained that he has been somewhat closing the chapter of his competing career to transition into management and coaching, resulting in a “soft retirement”.
“I originally was an athlete for this, but our original coach, wasn’t able to make it due to scheduling. So, I had to take on the role as a coach. All the events that I had originally entered in, I pulled out of, because we have nine amazing swimmers and I wanted to give them my full attention.”
Brandon was keen for most of the team to get experience in the Open Water in Palau, as it’s renowned for its beauty and it would be a “nice way to cap off the competition”.
Due to safety issues with the 250 mark of the 1.25k, the race was brought back down to 1000 meters. For Brandon, he knew it was “a bit of a jump to go from no swimming to 1000 metres open water.” And although the shorter length was a welcomed change, he knew it would still be a tough challenge.
“I knew it was going to be a mental game. There wasn’t anything that I was going to do physically that would change, my technique and muscle memory was kinda still there.
I knew after the 300m mark, it was going to be all mental… I would just have to use all that experience that I’ve had to push me through”
Brandon talks about how special Open water Relays are, referring to them as the “pinnacle in swimming.” With what can feel like an individual sport, it’s an opportunity to race as a team and it was something he enjoyed.
“Whenever you represent Samoa you’re racing for a bigger cause, which is your country”
Northern Marianas and Fiji followed Samoa in the Relays. Northern Mariana finishes the relay at fourth, featuring teammates Isaiah Roger Aleksenko, Maria Corazon Ayson Batallones, Kean James Sy Pajarillaga and Frances Rodelia Raho. Fiji finished with a time of 56:33.20, and their team includes Thaddeus Kwong, Theola Kwong, Marseleima Moss and Don Younger
Charlie Gibbons, Yuri Hosei, Kazuumi Nestor and Hanna Ruluked made the Palau team in today’s Open water Relay, finishing at 59:46.20. For Palau’s youngest member Hanna, this is a proud moment. The 13 year old has been swimming almost every day since she was five years old. She is not only proud to be here but also proud of her performance.
“Throughout I felt pretty strong, my stroke felt pretty good. I was tired and fatigued, but I’m proud of myself for finishing the race. I’m thankful that I was able to compete today”
For Hanna, competing at the Friendship Bridge is not a novel experience, and actually serves as an advantage that is not just technical.
“We occasionally do open water swims around here, so I’m quite familiar with the place. I feel so nice that we’re competing at home because a lot of my family can come watch for free and support”
The 4×1.25K Mixed Relay brought the Open Water events, and the entire swim meet, to a fitting close, combining teamwork, endurance, and national pride in one final test. It was a celebration of unity in the water, with athletes pushing not just for personal achievement, but for their teams and countries. As the final swimmers crossed the line, they wrapped up a week of unforgettable performances, hard-earned experience, and moments that will live on in Pacific Mini Games history.
WOMEN’S OPEN WATER 5K COMPLETES THE PACIFIC MINI GAMES
The women lined up for their final challenge of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games, the 5K Open Water Swim, one of the longest events of the swimming competition. It was a test of physical and mental strength, and the athletes rose to it with focus, resilience, and pride to close out their meet in style.
Tahiti delivered a standout performance which secured them the gold and silver medal in the Open Water 5K Women’s Event. Lili Paillisse took the top spot with an impressive finishing time of 1:00:46.20 and teammate Deotille Videau rose to second place clocking a time of 1:04:00.60.
Samoa had triple representation, with Talia Saumamao, Nafanua Hamilton, Salani Sa’aga competing in the immense 5K Open Water. Talia won Bronze with a time of 1:08:06.00, also achieving a Personal Best. Her 6th medal overall in the competition, including her bronze in the Open Water Mixed Relay. Nafanua finished fourth fastest at 1:14:49.60, making that 15 events for the 15 year old. Nafanua has bagged seven medals across the course of the Games, including a Gold in 200m Backstroke. Salani came in at 1.21.57.08, rounding off her successful competition, taking home an impressive four bronze and one silver medal.
Northern Mariana’s Sari Barman and Maria Guerrero were two of the youngest competitors in the Women’s 5K event, both 14 years old. Barman completed in a time of 1:31:38.30 and Guerrero achieved a finishing time of 1:31:37.60. They swam alongside Papua New Guinea’s Roxanne Kirarock who is also 14 years old, and who finished the 5K in 1:19:07.60.
Barman has competed in 7 events overall across the week including the 100m, 200m and 400m Freestyle, 100m Individual Medley and 50m and 100m Butterfly. Guerrero has represented Northern Marianas in 9 individual events across the week including, 50m, 100m and 200m Butterfly, 50m and 100m Backstroke, 800m Freestyle, 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay and Medley Relay and the Open Water 5K. When asked about her experience in today’s water, Barman replied
“Most of the time while I was swimming, I was just praying, and looking at my friend Maria because we were staying side by side.”
Hard work, determination and talent aren’t the only things that make these swimmers successful, their strong bonds and friendships with their teammates are what keep them going and achieving their goals. Guerrero added
“The race felt very, very long, but I was swimming next to her [Sari] so I had someone to comfort me, because I wasn’t alone… We tried our best and that’s all I care about.”
Both swimmers felt a sense of relief and pride as they left the waters and completed their time at the 2025 Pacific Mini Games. Barman particularly felt a sense of achievement
“It felt really rewarding to finally finish a long race.”
With Guerrero reflecting on her time which has resulted in a growth inconfidence for longer distance swimming, adding
“It taught me that I can really do longer distances because last year the max, or this year, the max I did was 3K. So I was thinking before the race, like, oh, how am I gonna do 5k? But today I learned that I can really push myself to do way more than I usually do.”
Barman echoed the same sentiment as her friend.
“I was able to swim with my friend and I realized that 5k, it wasn’t as bad. It’s really fun to swim and I would do it again as long as I have my friend.”
Expressing their gratitude to those around them who give them strength to carry on, push through and achieve their goals, Barman added
“Thank you to our coach. Thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you to my mom and my dad for always being there for me. And also my brother, Shuman, for always supporting me with my dreams and goals.”
Guerrero concluded with some strong advice to other swimmers and future athletes.
“Always try your best, never give up. Learn how to push yourself. And also thank you for my parents, my family, my coaches and my friends.”
Barman and Guerreo weren’t the only Northern Marian representatives in the ocean today, teammate Shoko Litulumar also completed and finished in a strong 1:18:46.80. Making the Open Water Swim her 9th event of the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.
Yuri Hosei, the only representative in the Women’s 5K for host nation Palau, took the event in her stride and finished in 1:19:35.00. The 20 year old has competed in and represented Palau in 11 events across the competition, Hosei adds a proud new chapter to their nation’s Pacific Mini Games legacy, inspiring future athletes and leaving a lasting mark on home soil.
MEN’S OPEN WATER 5K SHINES AS BRIGHT AS THE PALAUAN SUN
Under the bright Palauan sun, it was the Pacific island male swimmers’ turn to take on the 5K Open Water Swim, the longest event of the Games. As the final chapter of the swim competition came to a close, it was a true test of endurance, and the Pacific’s athletes rose to the challenge with determination and pride.
Tahiti secured the top two spots on the podium, with Nael Roux taking gold with a finishing time of 59:52.20 closely followed by teammate Enoa Vial clocking a time of 59:56.10, securing the silver medal. New Caledonia, Luke Mercier, delivered a strong swim which gained him 3rd place, making that his fourth bronze medal of the competition.
It was the younger Pacific swimmers who dominated the Open Water Swim, with 14 year old Carter Kita Makira from the Cook Islands being one of them.
The Cook Islands are one of the Pacific Nations who do not currently have access to swimming pool facilities back home, so the event conditions were nothing new to the swimmer. Feeling at home in the ocean during this event, Makira achieved a Personal Best, clocking a time of 1:12:29.70. An incredible feat considering he was the only athlete representing the Cook Islands in this event.
“It was my second time doing it [5K] and I was hoping to go out pretty strong, but I kind of swam the race by myself the whole time so it’s kind of alone but it was fine. It was PB, it’s good.”
Makira summed up his experience during the 5K, describing it as “Tiring… But enjoyable” which we’re sure most of the swimmers were feeling the same after the longer swim, which is equivalent to 200 laps of the 25m pool.
Justin Yao Ma and Richard Zhao, both 15 years old from Northern Marianas, also competed in today’s 5K, wrapping up their Paluan Pacific Mini Games experience. Ma clocked a time of 1:18:25.90 and Zhao finished in 1:06:52.20. Reflecting on their time in the water, Ma shared their thoughts on the race.
“It was more of a fun race than a serious race. You know, just enjoying the beautiful waters of Palau.”
Although enjoyable, Zhao shared insights into how gruelling this type of event can be on a swimmer, adding
“I felt like my shoulders were cramping and then my shoulder couldn’t move anymore. It was tiring.”
Ma echoed the sentiment and shared the reality of being a competitive athlete, the mixed emotions of pride and relief.
“My shoulders were hurting also, but I also felt a feeling of accomplishment because we’re finally done. Like, these past five days, it was a very tight schedule, so I feel happy we’re done.”
Ma and Zhaou weren’t the only representation for Northern Marianas with teammate, Kouki Watanabe, also competing and clocking a Final time of 1:18:26.60
Host country Palau had three representatives in the Men’s 5K event, seeing Noel Keane finish with a strong 1:06:19.10, Erungel Williams clock a time of 1:08:53.90 and Jion Hosei following suit with 1:12:29.90. An excellent swim of high effort and endurance which will add to the legacy of the 2025 Palauan Pacific Mini Games.
Samoa also had strong representation in the event, with three swimmers stepping forward to test their endurance, showcasing heart and commitment to their country. Solomana Hamilton completed the event in 1:07:10.30, Kobe Tuioti clocked a finish time of 1:19:18.20 and La’auli Hamilton finished the 5K in 1:19:18.50 – a strong turnout for the team.
Brandon Schuster, Samoa’s Athlete Coach, was able to reflect on the time at the Games as a whole, highlighting the overarching success of Oceania, and the strong community culture that fosters skill and growth in the next generation of swimmers.
“It’s been amazing to see the whole Pacific rise up. It’s great to see that competitive spirit across the nation, everyone stepping it up.”
Schuster also added
“It’s very competitive but it’s also just one massive family. Oceana’s nations are not individualistic in culture. Their aquatic legends pass on their generational knowledge and tools to young and rising swimmers, ensuring that not just legacies are passed forward but also their values.
Everyone feels welcomed. The Pacific has created a great environment where new swimmers can easily acclimate to the Pacific… There’s an easy understanding of community and competitiveness that’s woven into the culture. It’s one of the unspoken strengths of the Pacific”
With the Open Water Swim bringing the competition to a close, the swimming meet at the Pacific Mini Games has officially wrapped up, marking the end of an incredibly successful and spirited meet. Over the course of 47 events, a total of 141 medals were awarded, but beyond the podium finishes, it was the experience and growth that made this competition truly memorable for all involved.
Now, with their races behind them, the swimmers can take a well-earned break, soaking in the beauty of their host nation, cheering on teammates in other sports, and looking ahead to a well-deserved celebration at the closing ceremony.
As they prepare to head home, there’s no doubt those suitcases will be a little heavier, not just with medals, but with memories made in and out of the pool.
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Words & interviews: The Reporters’ Academy. Photos: Ryota Nishida