PALAU ROARED TO ANOTHER BRONZE
Before the sun set on the final day of swimming at the pool for host nation Palau, the home crowd again roared their athletes to another successful day recording their third bronze medal in consecutive days.
Kazuumi Nestor picked up bronze in the Men’s 100m Backstroke, his second medal of the games, with a new PB of 56.88. After the race, Nestor praised the home crowd who cheered him.
“This is where I live, it’s my home. I just want to thank everyone for cheering me on. They’re amazing here”
Kazuumi, reflecting on the Games and what he has achieved, paid tribute to his support network of teammates.
“The boys, Jion, Erun, Zen, Noel, Charlie, Travis, they’ve all been with me since day one. They’re always there for me. They always cheer me up. They’re the best teammates.”
Charlie Gibbons and Travis Sakurai both qualified for the Men’s 200m Freestyle Final finishing 5th and 6th fastest overall. Finishing their competition, both the female and male team went in the 200m Medley Relay, the ladies finished 7th in the Heats with a time of 5:33.59 and the men progressed to the Finals finishing 5th overall to draw the curtains on a job well done for Palau.
They will take immense joy from a hugely successful Games, the proud custodians of the inaugural swimming discipline featured at the Pacific Mini Games.
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Words & interviews: The Reporters’ Academy. Photos: Ryota Nishida