It was a busy day in the pool for Joanna Chen on Day 4 of the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore. First up was the individual Women’s 50m Backstroke before she joined her teammates for the Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay.
The Papua New Guinea swimmer made a fast start from the blocks. Indeed, she was the quickest of the four Pacific island swimmers in Heat 2. The 4-time Oceania Championship medallist gave it her all in her second individual swim of these championships. She held on strongly to finish with a time of 34.80 seconds. A time that was a little outside her personal best of 33.35 seconds set at the Commonwealth Youth Games of 2023.
Afterwards, the 17 year old talked us through her race.
‘I think it’s always a bit nerve-wracking getting up on the blocks, but again, when you’ve got a race, just set your mind to it and execute the race plan. I talked to my coach before. He just said, ‘set your heart ablaze and enjoy every stroke and just do the best you can.’ The water felt pretty good, so overall pretty happy.’
The coach is always such an important dimension to the performance of each swimmer. This race comes on the back of Joanna’s 200m Individual Medley and it’s interesting to learn the approach for preparing for two diverse disciplines in the same week. Joanna explained,
‘It’s a pretty big mix, but again back in Australia my coach is really good with working them separately. We’ll go through the 200 IM race stuff, maybe one session and another session he’ll get me focused on the 50.’
Before going to warm down and prepare for her team event she shared her thoughts on her time here in Singapore.
‘Oh my gosh I’m just super grateful to be here again representing my country wearing my country’s colours. It’s been so fun meeting new people, especially being with my friends here as well.’
Josh Tarere lined up in the Men’s 100m Freestyle. The Olympian from Paris 2024 was aiming to lower his personal best time from those Games.
At the turn, Josh was neck and neck with Israel Poppe of Guam in a time of 25.92 seconds. He pushed hard and through the pain to stop the clock at 55.34 seconds.
Recovering his breath, Josh took up the story of the race from his point of view.
‘It’s a bit outside of my personal best. The first 50 was okay. Then coming towards the end of the last 25, I was a bit fatigued. I was struggling to swim into the wall.’
Only last month Josh proudly led Papua New Guinea out at the Pacific Mini Games as the flag bearer. He’s represented his country for over 8 years and also has a Commonwealth Games appearance to his name. He is a leader both in and out of the pool.
Nevertheless, his enthusiasm shines through as much as his experience when asked about the atmosphere in Singapore. A broad smile comes across his face,
‘Yeah, it’s amazing. I like the people around here. Everyone is being nice to one another. I like the atmosphere here.’
Josh’s next individual race comes on Day 6 in the 50m Freestyle.
To talk to Josh is to be inspired by both what he has achieved and how he enthuses about the sport he loves. Swimming needs dedication and can be a tough but very rewarding sport. Josh is very clear what keeps him striving for more,
‘My biggest dream is to make an Olympic final. And after that, whatever the outcome is, I can retire telling myself I made it into the finals.’
Then he was away to join the PNG mixed relay team, to once again give his all.
Team Papua New Guinea came together for the 4 x 100m Mixed Medley Relay. Jhnayali Tokome- Garap, Joanna Chen, Nathaniel Noka and Josh Tarere combined to bring home a time of 4-43.43.
The relays tend to be enjoyable but none the less competitive. For Jhnayali who hasn’t raced this week yet, it was an opportunity.
‘Well, for me it was my first race of this entire championship. So, I could get used to the water and my race pace, I think it’s really important for me to just get a feel of it before my individual race. ‘
This team has only come together a couple of times, so they are still feeling their way. As Josh explained,
‘Yeah, obviously our coach gives us advice and we all depend on each other. It’s not a one-man thing, it’s like teamwork to finish off the relay. I was the last anchorman for the relay. Actually, I felt a bit better than my actual individual race.’
Like most aspects of swimming, it’s a process. However, it’s fun; where the team gets the chance to come together on a limited number of occasions to put that Pacific team spirit to great use.
Their next opportunity to bond comes in the Mixed 4 x100m Freestyle Relay on Day 7.
–Ends–
Written by The Reporters’ Academy Photos by Andrea Schuster