Samuel Yalimaiwai concludes his World Championships debut with double personal best glory for Fiji. His final race at the 22nd World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Singapore marked the end of an exceptional campaign for the 22-year-old swimmer.
Earlier in the week, Samuel shared his hopes for the 50m Breaststroke: “Good thing it’s a shorter distance, so a bit better for me. Hoping to get a big PB in there and hopefully break our national record.” His optimism was well placed. With a final time of 28.54, Samuel achieved a personal best and set a new national record for Fiji, surpassing the previous record set in 2019 by Taichi Vakasama.
“Really happy with the time. I’m happy that I got a PB, so I can’t complain,” he said with a smile.
Competing in heat three of this fast-paced event, Samuel claimed second place, a result that reflects the impact of his dedicated training. “Just mainly a lot of dive work off the blocks,” he explained. “It’s a very short race, so you really need to have a good start.” With a reaction time of 0.66, it’s clear his preparation paid off. This sprint event suits Samuel’s style, and his enjoyment was evident: “It was a fun race, short distance, I really enjoyed it.”
Samuel comes from a family of swimmers in Fiji and laughs when describing how he first got into the sport. “I was sort of forced into it…everyone was into swimming.” After taking a four-to-five year break, he returned to the pool earlier this year. “It’s been really good. I’ve rediscovered the passion for the sport again. It’s been really fun.” That renewed energy clearly fuelled his standout performance in Singapore.
As he wrapped up his final event, Samuel reflected with satisfaction. “I’m really happy that I managed to perform well here at Worlds. Now I can just relax, cheer on my other teammates, and enjoy Singapore”. This milestone marks not just the end of a successful debut, but the start of a new chapter, one powered by world-class experience and fresh motivation. “This whole experience has opened up my eyes to what’s possible,” he shared. “The levels we can reach and just how much more work I need to put in.”
When asked for his highlight of the competition, his answer was immediate: “Seeing all the top swimmers in the world in person.” It’s clear Samuel understands the magnitude of this event and embraces it.
For young swimmers back home in Fiji and across the Pacific, he offered this encouraging advice: “Train hard, trust yourself, trust the process and anything is possible.” A fitting message from a swimmer who has done exactly that.
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Written by The Reporters’ Academy. Photos by Andrea Schuster