Samoa’s a happy swimming family
Paige Schendelaar Kemp continues to lead from the front for Samoa. Already the proud recipient of a gold and two bronze medals at these Games, she added the 50m Short Course Butterfly title in a time of 27.57 seconds. Quite rightly she struck a proud figure with a beaming smile on the podium, as the Samoan spectators and team serenaded her victory.
In the Men’s 50m Butterfly Hector Langkilde added to his short course experience by just missing out on a medal in a strong field, posting 24.99 in 4th place. Johann Stickland maintained a strong family tradition of performing well for his country with a time of 25.25.
Another busy day for the Hamilton siblings erupted when firstly Solomona romped home in the Men’s 200m Backstroke in 2-05.36 before seeing his sister win her equivalent race in 2-18.29. It was a remarkable moment for the family to share in the pool, which they’ll long remember.
Solomona first,
‘I had a bit of a rough Heat swim today. I was a bit under the weather, but I just went home after my Heat, had a good rest, came back tonight, energised. My aim was to push the first 100 and just hold on.’
For Nafanua, the enormity of the achievement was still sinking in,
‘It’s still very unreal at the moment. I’m very happy, very proud. I started a bit behind the pack and then I think I just did well catching up. It was very up to the touch with the Tahiti and the Cook Islands.’
…and thoughts on her brother going gold?
‘ Great! Yeah I’ve always followed in his footsteps and I’m really happy to share that with him.’
Of course, it was important to catch up with Team Manager and very proud mother, Ivapene Seiuli to reflect on a wonderful moment.
‘I probably have no words. It’s very rare for me not to have words. I’m still up in the clouds. I haven’t quite come down yet. I thought I was going to just explode with delight and excitement. All the morning training, the evenings, the packing the breakfasts as you drive them and all those things now are just like this moment’s just a dream come true for any parent. That support has come from our whole family and our villages. Hopefully all the children in Samoa could see that it can happen as well.’ Ivapene was keen to highlight their collective thanks to the Samoan Government, Samoa Swimming & Samoa National Olympic Committee.
Even then Nafanua wasn’t finished for the day and completed her Final of the 100m Breaststroke in a time of 1-16.12.
A notable mention too for Salani Sa’aga who also made the Final of the Women’s 200m Backstroke and recorded 2-28.98.
Rounding off Samoa’s evening in the pool were the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relays. The women picked up a silver medal in a time of 8-51.05. The men posted 8-02.57 to just miss out on a medal in 4th place.
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Words & interviews: The Reporters’ Academy. Photos: Ryota Nishida