Wednesday 11th December 2024
Kestra Kihleng, the sole representative for the Federated States of Micronesia at the 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships, is no stranger to the world stage and proved today that one swimmer can make a big splash. Competing in the women’s 100m breaststroke, Kihleng delivered an outstanding performance, achieving a personal best of 1:20:19 and setting a new national record in her very first swim of the competition. Reflecting on her race, Kihleng admitted, “It felt like a good race, but I feel I could have gone a lot faster in the last leg and probably went out a bit slow at the beginning.” even with Kihleng’s respectful reaction time of 0.69 seconds which was in line with her competition.
Despite her achievements, Kihleng acknowledged the challenges of competing on the world stage, admitting, “I thought I would be used to it by now with the amount of times I’ve been to Worlds. This one, I was really nervous—shaking when I was getting up to the blocks. I don’t know if that was from the cold or nerves,” she laughed. Her coach played a crucial role in helping her manage pre-race nervousness, equipping her with calming breathing exercises and vital words of encouragement. “He told me, ‘You’ve been working this whole time—a lot of people went on a break after the Olympics, but you got straight back into it. Trust your instincts; you’ve been training for this, so the results will come.’” His advice proved spot-on as Kihleng delivered an excellent performance.
The third 25 meters of her race proved the toughest “usually, the third lap is always the hardest,” Kihleng shared. “You have to block out the pain and get to the wall. Once you push past that, you get an adrenaline rush to carry you to the finish. I think that’s what really carried me through.” With her blend of experience and determination, Kihleng also offered encouragement to her fellow Pacific swimmers ahead of their heats. “Just stick to your routine, remember to breathe, and don’t be too nervous. Once you’re in the water, it all goes away, and you just focus on your race… You guys have got this!”
Looking ahead, Kihleng has her next event, the 50m breaststroke towards the end of the competition week. Despite the long gap between races, she remains optimistic. “Usually, I have a bit of a gap and I don’t like it at all because it’s such a long wait. I usually swim my best at the end so hopefully the 50m will be a big one for me”
It’s clear Kihleng is made for the water. When asked what she loves most about swimming, her answer was heartfelt: “There’s a lot! I just like the water. I know a lot of swimmers don’t enjoy the training part, but I love it. It gives me something to do—it keeps me going.”
Kihleng’s performance at the World Championships is a testament to her relentless work ethic, love for the sport, and the perseverance that defines her 2024 World Championship journey.