Saturday 14 December
As the World Aquatics Swimming Championships draws near to its final day in Budapest, Liana Planz proudly represented the Pacific island nation of American Samoa in the women’s 50m freestyle. With determination and a joyful spirit, Liana made her mark, concluding her competition with a personal best and a new national record.
With her Dad and friends cheering her on from the stands, the atmosphere was electric as Liana prepared for her race. The support in the crowd filled her with excitement and motivation, enhancing the overall experience as she stepped onto the blocks. “I think that was pretty good,” she remarked after the race. “It felt good; I executed it well. No complaints.” This positive reflection showcased her confidence and commitment to excellence in the pool.
Liana’s performance was impressive from the start. She achieved a remarkable reaction time of 0.61 seconds, the fastest in her heat, and launched into the water with explosive energy. Her split times of 13.55 and 14.29 demonstrated her ability to maintain speed and control as she navigated the short course. Ultimately, Liana finished strong with a time of 27.84 seconds, winning her heat.
Ahead of the competition she had shared her hopes for this prestigious event, emphasising the significance of the entire experience – “My hopes and aspirations are to just live in the moment and just soak it all in,” she shared. “This is just a great opportunity and experience to be a part of, and I am so thankful for it. It is so surreal that I am part of this event. I am grateful for American Samoa; thank you Erika Radewagen for giving me this chance. All I can promise is to do my best.”
As Liana concluded her race and her time at the World Championships, her thoughts turned to the host country, Budapest. She expressed excitement about exploring the beautiful city and sampling it’s delicious food and drink.
Having participated as the only representative from American Samoa, Liana took immense pride in her achievements. Setting a new national record and personal best in the 50m freestyle. She reflected on her time with appreciation for the opportunity to connect with fellow Pacific islanders, declaring her favourite memory being: “the lead up to the races. I love competing but meeting new people and being in this atmosphere is a real big highlight for me”.
With her head held high and a heart full of gratitude, Liana Planz departs from the World Aquatics Championships with the memories of her remarkable journey, the warmth of her friends and family by her side, and the strength of representing American Samoa on the world stage.