STANDOUT PERFORMANCES FROM NORTHERN MARIANAS
As we head towards the end of the swimming of the Games, we take a look at some of the stand out performances of Northern Marianas. Isaiah Roger Aleksenko brings home the gold once again in the 100m Backstroke Men’s Final. He won his medal with a remarkable finish time of 52.55, making this his sixth gold of nine medals in total. Isaiah, despite winning a medal each day of the competition, remains humble when reflecting on his experience at the Games.
“It’s the last day, and I am very happy…the people here are very supportive”
Isaiah’s accomplishments are immense and he is grateful for his support systems such as his family and his teammates.
“My teammates are very supportive, if you are feeling down they definitely try and push us to go faster.”
Isaiah also competed in the 4x100m Medley Relay final alongside teammates Kean James Sy Pajarillaga, Kouki Cerezo Watanabe and Moshe Vien Sikkel. The team performed outstandingly, taking home a bronze medal with a time of 3:48.83. Kean and Moshe have both won medals throughout the week. In total, Kean achieved three bronze and two silver medals and Moshe won one silver and one bronze.
Kean and Kouki also competed in other events, Kean swam the 100m Backstroke, clocking a time of 57.70. Kouki took on the 200m Individual Medley heats finishing the Heat in 2:18.68.
In the female 4x100m Medley relay finals, Maria Corazon Ayson Batallones, Maria Yamaguchi Guerrero, Shoko Suzuki Litulumar and Frances Rodelia Raho completed the Heat at 4:40.20. Frances also competed in the 50m Freestyle finals, finishing at 27.52, as well as the 100m Backstroke Heats completing it at 1:09.89. Once again, we can see for many in Northern Marianas, they take huge motivation from their families and the support they provide.
“My biggest motivation would probably be my family. They text me every night, saying how proud they are of me”
Frances also talks about the bond she shares with her team, and how much she enjoys spending time with them.
“The highlight of my week is racing with my friends in my team, and doing the relays with them”
Maria Batallones has also had success this week, taking home two silver medals and a bronze. She competed in the 50m Freestyle achieving a time of 28.61, making it her tenth event of the Games.
Maria Guerrero, one of the youngest swimmers at 14 years old, competed in the 100m Backstroke Heats completing with a time of 1:13.83. She made her nation proud, qualifying for five Finals, competing in a total of ten Games with her last event being Saturday’s Open water 5k.
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Words & interviews: The Reporters’ Academy. Photos: Ryota Nishida