Guam – Medal Delight For Guam
Team Guam have been teetering on the edge of the podium positions all week so it was an accumulation of their team’s determination and perseverance that Amaya Bollinger, the birthday girl, bagged herself the perfect present as she took silver in the 200m Butterfly along with a new PB.
“It went exactly how I planned it, I’m really happy with my time and I’m really happy I medalled, today is actually my birthday so I was really hoping I would get a medal”
The 17 year old registered the first medal for Guam in the pool at the Pacific Mini Games on what is a debut championship for her – it was only a matter of time really.
Teammate Mia Lee went close herself again, she qualified for the 100m Freestyle Final finishing 5th fastest overall. The 17 year old who trains with Amphibious Aquatics in Guam, was pleased with her 59.29 time.
“I’ve been wanting to go under a minute for so, so long now. And I’ve finally been able to do it. So I’m really happy. My swim team from back home, they sent me a recording saying, ‘GO MIA, GO SUB ONE!’ I think that really pushed me, that’s what I was thinking about during the race.”
Israel Poppe over in the Men’s 100m Freestyle narrowly missed out on a Finals spot in a discipline stacked with talent. His time of 52.87 had him 7th fastest in the heats. One place away from booking his lane in the evening’s Finals.
Jaden Francis qualified for the 200m Butterfly Finals with 2:22.78 and finished 5th fastest overall, a performance he can be proud of.
Team Guam will be extremely satisfied with their day’s work, they’ll be firmly in contention to build on this success tomorrow as the aquatics at the Palau Pacific Mini Games continues.
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Words & interviews: The Reporters’ Academy. Photos: Ryota Nishida