Wednesday 11th December 2024
At just 17 years old, Jaya Corder proudly represented the Marshall Islands in his debut at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest, making a strong impression as the sole representative for his nation. Competing in the men’s 100m freestyle, Jaya showcased his own skills and also the spirit and determination of the Marshall Islands on a global stage.
As one of the youngest swimmers in his heat, Jaya showed remarkable maturity and composure as he entered the pool area. The enormity of the arena, coupled with the thunderous cheers from the crowd, might have overwhelmed another swimmer on their first experience, but Jaya remained cool and focused. While he could hear the excited crowd, he skillfully blocked out the noise, centering his attention and preparing himself mentally for the race ahead.
When the time came to dive in, Jaya showcased his ability with a solid reaction time of 0.82 seconds. From the moment he hit the water, he demonstrated incredible speed, recording impressive split times of 14.05 seconds for the first lap, followed by 14.57, 17.50, and a finishing time of 19.38 seconds. His smooth strokes and steady pace illustrated the hard work and dedication he has put into his training.
Following his coach’s encouraging advice to do his best and have fun, Jaya finished the race with a commendable time of 1:05.50. As he exited the pool, he reflected on the experience, when asked about his first swim at a world championships he said “it was long to me” but confidently sharing that he truly gave it his all, embodying the guidance of his coach and importantly had fun doing it.
Having now gained experience on such a significant world stage, Jaya was asked what advice he would extend to other young swimmers who might be competing in high-stakes environments like this. He offered wise words: “just breathe.” This simple yet powerful advice, also echoes the sentiments shared by much more experienced Pacific islander swimmers. Demonstrating maturity beyond his years and a clear understanding of the importance of staying calm in the face of tough competition.
With his first race successfully completed, Corder is feeling confident about his upcoming heat, 50m freestyle. The experience of swimming at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in “very cold” Budapest has not only been a learning opportunity for him but has also solidified his passion for the sport. As he looks to the rest of the competition, Corder remains dedicated to representing the Marshall Islands with pride.