Saturday 14 December
As the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest reached its penultimate day, Kestra Kihleng proudly represented the Federated States of Micronesia in the women’s 50m breaststroke. Though she completed her race with a personal best, Kestra’s reaction to her time reflected a desire for improvement, showcasing her dedication to the sport.
Entering the pool with a reaction time of 0.71 seconds, she launched herself off the blocks with energy, eager to execute her race strategy. While her split times of 16.64 seconds for the first 25 meters and 19.50 seconds for the final 25 meters demonstrated her speed and technique, Kestra expressed slight disappointment at her finishing time of 36.14 seconds. “I’ll go over the race with my coach and see what I can improve on,” she said, highlighting her commitment to learning and growth in her swimming journey.
Despite her personal disappointment, she took home a personal best and ultimately, “It was a fun race; I had fun doing it.” This ability to find joy in the experience reflects Kestra’s positive mindset despite the challenges of competing. Kestra’s dedication to her preparation was evident as she focused intensely on her training, choosing not to go out much during her stay in Budapest. Having participated in the championships in Budapest twice before, she felt a sense of familiarity with the area and relished the opportunity to reconnect with her friends. “I’m just glad I got to meet up with friends, so that’s nice,” she noted.
Now that she has completed all her races, Kestra is ready to take some well-deserved time to relax and enjoy her surroundings. “I’m just gonna enjoy my last day with my friends and explore the city a bit. I definitely want to go ice skating because I haven’t been ice skating yet,” she shared with a smile.
In addition to her performance on the world stage, Kestra is committed to inspiring the next generation of swimmers. Her advice to young athletes is clear and encouraging: “Keep pushing yourself if you want to see results. If you really want something, you can get it if you put in the right amount of effort and dedication.”
As Kestra wraps up her experience at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships, she returns home with personal bests achieved and memories made.