Fiji’s Marseleima Moss hit the wall in a time of 2-30.72, an incredible drop of over 5 seconds on her previous best time in her 200m Backstroke. Two races and two personal bests at these World Championships, having doubled up on the 50m backstroke.
A very impressive achievement on the world stage.
Marseleima was hoping to go under 2 minutes 30 seconds, and that in itself is an insight. The insight into the mind of an elite swimmer. It’s about setting high standards and doing your best. The constant striving for improvement. She went on to explain more,
‘I have to be happy with a season’s best. Not the time I wanted but I mean a PB, so I can’t really ask for anymore. I was just hoping for under 2-30. I felt a bit short, but it’s okay.’
Just 18 years old and already a 4-time medallist from last year’s Oceania Championships, she went on to describe some of the technical elements of the race.
‘Both of my coaches just kind of told me to enjoy the race. I think personally a 200 back is pretty tough. It’s one of the events that I get nervous for the most. So, I wasn’t really too sure how I was going to perform. I’m pretty happy with the race and glad it’s over now. I think for me, my turns were pretty good. I think I was just trying to focus more on underwater and keeping in control.’
Marseleima, like many other island swimmers in Singapore has had a quick turn round after competing at the Pacific Mini Games in Palau just over two weeks ago. How has she coped with that?
‘The thing is just trusting in yourself and trusting in all the training that you’ve done leading up to it.’
Finally, a mention about her support systems, as those high standards don’t happen in isolation. There are many parts to the jigsaw, so that everything comes together and fits. Whether that be in competition or away from the pool.
‘It’s really fun and exciting knowing that you know other countries from Oceania are here as well to compete and cheer you on. I’m really grateful for that. I think the people you train with play a big part in everything. I mean when you have great support around you and great people around you and who are able to push you, it kind of keeps you going and it’s easier for you to stay focused and motivated even when you aren’t getting the times you’re hoping for.’
Just over 30 minutes later, it was the turn of Marseleima’s teammate David Young to take part in the Men’s 50m Freestyle.
Fastest off the blocks in Heat 9, David was hopeful for the personal best that he had pinpointed in his interview earlier this week. He hit the wall in 22.32 seconds just outside his own National Record of 22.15.
Afterwards, he shared his initial thoughts on how the race had gone,
‘I was definitely pushing more on this one. I mean I can’t complain too much. It was a solid swim comparatively to all my times this year and consistency is always a really good sign. Just some things could have been a bit more clean, but happy with the swim all in all.’
Despite, it’s nickname of ‘splash and dash,’ the 50m Freestyle is a very technical event with mistakes difficult to recover from. Although David had the fastest reaction time in his Heat off the blocks he felt that he ‘didn’t have the best dive, it can sort of ruin the rest of your race. I just tried not to think about it too much and in that sense, just put my head down and swim as fast as I could.’
As we know, not every day can be a personal best day in swimming. It’s about the process, as David explains,
‘I can’t complain too much. I’ve had a quite a big time drop this whole year in my 50 metre freestyle. So, it’s a bit disappointing that I can’t end it with another PB but you can’t always have what you want. Swimming is not the most linear sport and I’m happy with how the season has gone. Even though I haven’t gotten PBs in all my events here, I was fairly close.So there’s nothing really to be too sad about.’
After a small break David is excited to go back and work on both his 50m and 100m freestyle events.
‘I think the 100 will definitely complement my 50, especially towards the back end.’
David is equally impressive in front of the microphone as he is in the pool. His maturity extends to making the most of these events on a personal level.
‘One of the biggest takeaways I’d say; is definitely all the relationships that you can make, especially within and through the sport. I remember my first World Championships and international Meet which was at Fukuoka in 2023. I made so many friends and I get to see them at these Meets. It’s always a great time seeing them and just being around them.’
–Ends–
Written by The Reporters’ Academy