Sunday 15 December
At the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest, Marseleima Moss represented Fiji with enthusiasm and determination in the women’s 200m backstroke. This marked her first appearance at such a prestigious international event, and she approached her final race with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.
Her race was scheduled for the last day, Marseleima was brimming with excitement as she prepared to dive into the pool. “I was really excited to race the 200m back, all my friends are here from different nations, so seeing them come to support me means a lot, especially on the last day,” she said, reflecting on the importance of solidarity during the competition.
Having finished her race, Marseleima’s immediate reaction reflected her enjoyment and effort. “It was a really fun race, really tiring, but I think I did a lot better than expected, so I’m really happy,” she said, proud of her performance. With a finishing time of 2:24.22, she demonstrated skill and resilience, showcasing the hard work she dedicated to her training. In her heat, Marseleima clocked impressive split times of 16.34 seconds for the first 25 meters and 1:10.23 at the halfway point.
Reflecting on her experience of competing at her first world championship event, Marseleima acknowledged the challenges of managing nerves in such a high-pressure environment. “Just learning to manage nerves has been tough, especially since this was my first-ever international competition. Now that I have some experience, hopefully the next one will be a lot better,” she shared.
Despite initial first world championship nerves, she treasured the opportunity to witness the talent and dedication displayed by athletes from around the world. “It was really amazing to see everyone race,” she added. Her favorite memory from the competition was the electrifying atmosphere on the first night, where world records were broken in quick succession. “I was so thankful to be able to witness records being broken back-to-back, that was really cool,” she recalled. This sense of awe not only highlighted her appreciation for the sport but also fueled her motivation as she navigated her own races.
Marseleima prepared diligently for her events, which took place on the first and last days of competition. Aiming to stay focused and maintain her competitive edge, she rested, ate well but acknowledged the main thing was to stay in the water so she didn’t lose the feel for it, she explained.
Competing among fellow Pacific Islanders provided Marseleima with a sense of comfort amidst the intensity of the championships. “Coming from a small nation can be a little intimidating, but there are a lot of familiar faces around the pool. I have two teammates who have been here before, so it’s great to have others who’ve experienced this,” she expressed, highlighting the supportive community among Pacific swimmers.
As Marseleima Moss concludes her time at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships, she leaves Budapest with cherished memories, newfound friendships, and the pride of representing Fiji on the international stage.