The Solomon Islands continue to develop their swimming nation. For their swimmers to be exposed to top level competition at these World Championships can only serve them well.
Day 4 saw Brenton Naka swim in the Men’s 100m Freestyle. Also, in the same Heat was another Pacific islander, Leo Lebot from Vanuatu. 19 year old Brenton, who only took up the sport four years ago, got off to a flyer, hitting the water in second place with a reaction time of 0.65 seconds.
He completed the two lengths in 1-07.59
‘It was good, I’m happy for that. I’m really happy for that. That’s all the best I can give,’ said Brenton.
He has been focussing specifically on Freestyle and enjoyed his ‘splash and dash.’
‘It was good because it’s my first time at the World Championships. My coach said to be focussed on my race – don’t care about others just focus on my race. I’m seeing new things and competing at a high standard. In my own country sometimes I’m the only one who attends at my level.’
Within that description the 19 year old describes the benefits and challenges that this sport can bring. The social rewards of spending time with your team, but equally, the quiet moments of training and targeting personal times. His first major competition was his home Pacific Games of 2023, and he has now followed that up with a good performance on the world stage. His smile indicates that he can embrace those benefits and challenges equally and still have that enjoyment that aquatics can bring.
‘Someone introduced me to swimming. I think it’s a clean sport and that’s why I love swimming.
Such enthusiasm and commitment points toward a great future for Brenton in this sport.
–Ends–
Written by The Reporters’ Academy Photos by Andrea Schuster