Fiji’s Marseleima Moss made a confident start to her competition at the 22nd World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Singapore, racing in the Women’s 50m Backstroke on Day 4 and clocking a new personal best of 32.34.
Racing in a heat alongside fellow Pacific Island athletes from Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Northern Mariana Islands, Marseleima brought energy and focus to the water in what was her first event of the competition. With a strong reaction time of 0.64, she powered through the sprint with a great start in her heat.
“It was really tiring,” she said with a smile after the race. “I did a PB but it wasn’t the time I was aiming for, but a PB, is a PB, so I have to be happy with that.”
This marks Marseleima’s second appearance at a World Aquatics Championships, having competed in the short course edition in Budapest in 2024. She also recently delivered a standout performance at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau, where she brought home three silver medals and a bronze. Now 18, Marseleima continues to build her reputation as a competitive swimmer for her country with a nomination last year for the prestigious Fiji Sportswoman of the Year Award.
Following the Pacific Mini Games last month, there was little downtime before the next challenge. “It was such a quick turnover,” she explained. “I had a week to train once I got back to Australia after Palau. Going from short course to long course, you can definitely tell the difference. I prefer short course but long course is always fun.”
Comparing the atmosphere in Singapore to her Budapest experience, Marseleima noted the intensity. “Budapest was a lot more laid back. It was still competitive, but I am definitely a lot more nervous here.” All this recent experience has really helped with managing competition nerves: “I just get in the water and swim. There’s nothing really you can do. You have nothing to think about except finishing your race and hopefully coming first or PBing.”
Asked what makes the difference in a sprint like this, Marseleima didn’t hesitate: “My starts are the make-or-break. If my starts are really good, then my race is normally really good.”
Guided by her coach’s simple but powerful advice “have fun” Marseleima is staying grounded and positive. “If you’re not having fun, there’s really no point,” she said. “So as long as you’re enjoying it, that’s all you can ask for.”
Marseleima will return to the pool on Day 6 for the Women’s 200m Backstroke, bringing experience, confidence, and momentum from today’s performance.
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Written by The Reporters’ Academy