Wednesday 11th December 2024
Day two of the World Aquatic Swimming Championships in Budapest witnessed an inspiring performance by Kouki Watanabe from the Northern Marianas. Competing in the men’s 100m breaststroke and later teaming up with Taiyo Akimaru, Maria Batallones, and Piper Raho in the 4x50m medley relay. His final time of 1:06.66 in the breaststroke was a solid effort, and his positive attitude and spirit stood out.
Breaking down his race, Kouki started strong, covering the first 25 meters in 14.69 seconds. He maintained his momentum to reach the halfway point at 50 meters with a total time of 31.47 seconds. By 75 meters, he clocked in at 48.76 seconds, and finally completed the race with a finishing time of 1:06.66.
Reflecting on his swim, with a smile, Kouki commented, “My times were good; my swim was ‘meh’!” Despite this modest assessment, he expressed enthusiasm about the facilities, “The pool is very nice here, it feels really good. The water is a perfect temperature. Back home, our pool is not that long, only 15m. So it’s a new experience, and it felt good.”
Offering words of encouragement to young swimmers in his home country, Kouki advised, “Don’t give up swimming, even if you feel like you’re getting slower. Practice hard; I promise you’ll get better.”
Next on Kouki’s schedule was the 4x50m medley relay, where he teamed up with Taiyo Akimaru, Maria Batallones, and Piper Raho. A young relay team, all aged between 15 – 18 years old, the team were delighted to have set a new national record. Together, they demonstrated the power of teamwork and good spirits, setting a good example for their country.
In the medley relay, the team’s splits told the story of their effort and teamwork. Piper Raho opened with a sharp 15.47 then 15.59, followed by Kouki Watanabe’s 13.85 then 16.23. Taiyo Akimaru kept up the pace with the fastest lap at 11.79 then 14.28, and Maria Batallones anchored with 13.49 then finished with 14.56, creating a strong finish for the squad.
“We are very proud of the team,” Piper said. “It’s teamwork; that’s why it’s called a relay. We should all be proud of it.”
After the race the four teammates were relaxed and celebratory. The swimmers, supporting one another, reflected on the joy of competing together. For Taiyo and Maria, it was their first time competing in this pool.
Maria shared, “Being my first event here, it was a good experience. I had my team behind me, so I wasn’t really as nervous. For my next event, I want to be nervous! Experiencing the atmosphere was good because now I know what it’s like.”
As day two concluded, the Northern Marianas team left a lasting impression, showcasing the spirit of perseverance and unity.