On Vanuatu’s 45th Independence Day, 18-year-old Leo Lebot delivered a standout swim at the 22nd World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Singapore, clocking a huge personal best of 59.58 in the Men’s 100m Freestyle, just 0.20 seconds shy of the national record.
Sharing his heat with fellow Pacific Islander Brenton Naka from the Solomon Islands, Leo was part of a popular event for Oceania swimmers from Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Guam, and Tonga all competing in the Men’s 100m Freestyle.
“I’m really happy because it’s a six-second PB for me and it’s my first time going sub-minute,” Leo shared after the race. His previous personal best stood at 1:06.13, set at the Pacific Games in 2023. The current national record 59.38 was set exactly one year ago by Olympian Johnathan Silas in Paris.
Leo swims with the Vanuatu Swimming Federation and is joined in Singapore by teammate Loane Russet. This race marked the second and final event of Leo’s competition, and he leaves the pool with clear takeaways about his growth and potential.
“I really learned that the size of the pool doesn’t really matter as long as you have a race plan,” he said. “I did pretty much the same time I did in the short course at the Pacific Mini Games. I really learned about focusing on myself before the race, not worrying about any other swimmers and just locking in on your own race.”
His preparation was carefully structured. “We did lots of front-end speed with my coach, like 50s at 100 pace, 25s at 100 pace, just to simulate the race without completely doing it. It helped a lot because I would have gone out way too fast. I’m more of a 50-meter swimmer.”
Leo’s love for racing is undeniable. When asked about his highlight of the competition, he shared without hesitation – “The racing, I love racing. It’s just so unreal. It looks like you’re in a football stadium. You have the crowd, you have the lights. In the call room, you have the Olympic swimmers warming up as well. It’s just crazy.”
That energy continues as he steps out onto the pool deck. “You can feel the crowd looking at you, you can feel the lights, the cameras, and everything. It’s really stressful but at the same time, you can use that stress in the race and it’s really helpful.”
Despite limited access to facilities growing up, Leo has become a source of inspiration for young swimmers across Vanuatu, reflecting on his own journey he shares – “I only started three years ago. On an island where you only have limited facilities, like an 18m pool. I only started training this year in proper facilities like a 25 and 50-meter pool.” Continuing on to offer advice to swimmers in his home nation; “It’s never too late to start. You can swim in the ocean, you can swim with what you have. Just keep swimming and don’t give up because you don’t have the good facilities.”
Outside of his own training, Leo gives back to the sport as a swim teacher. “At the University of Queensland, I teach the little kids how to swim,” he said proudly. “And it’s wonderful because I help them and it helps me a lot as well. I love it.”
Leo stands as a proud ambassador of swimming and for Vanuatu, on Independence Day and every day. Showing what’s possible with passion, determination, and a true love for his sport.
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Written by The Reporters’ Academy