A fantastic duo marks an exciting beginning for Team Samoa at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest, with both Paige Schendelaar-Kemp and Kokoro Frost making waves in the 50m butterfly heats.
The energy was electric as these talented swimmers took to the pool, showcasing their skills and enthusiasm on this international stage.
Straight after her race, ever-positive Paige shared, “First race in the pool, went out and enjoyed it – so…happy!” Her upbeat attitude was evident as she prepared for her event, significantly contributing to her strong performance. Cheering from a lively group of supportive children in the stands provided an extra boost of motivation that boosted her through the race.
Paige demonstrated remarkable speed right from the start, achieving the quickest reaction time in her heat at 0.60 seconds. She maintained impressive lane speeds of 12.40 seconds for the first 25 meters and followed that with a swift 14.80 seconds for the second lap. These efforts culminated in a fantastic final time of 27.20 seconds. Reflecting on her race, Paige noted, “It felt like a good race, super easy in terms of stroke. Felt really good,” which speaks volumes about her preparation and focus.
Looking ahead, Paige is excited to carry this enthusiasm and power into her upcoming 100m Butterfly later this week. Her mindset is not just about speed; during her interview, she highlighted her ability to block out distractions. When asked about her experience in the massive arena, she described it as “really cool” and mentioned that despite its enormity and noise, she didn’t hear anything, a great example of being ‘in the zone’ and fully focused on her performance.
Kokoro Frost was next through the interview area, with his contagious smile and positive attitude. He was particularly thrilled about his performance, describing it as a “splash and dash.” Kokoro reflected on the benefits of swimming in the 25m pools, stating how advantageous good ‘underwaters’ can be in gaining headway. He achieved an impressive reaction time of 0.66 seconds and recorded powerful lap times of 11.01 seconds and 13.24 seconds, leading him to a personal best time of 24.25 seconds. His excitement was real as he repeatedly expressed how “stoked” he was with this achievement.
Both athletes emphasised the advice they received during their team meeting earlier that morning, which focused on ‘patience’. Kokoro embraced this wisdom, crediting it for his calm and collected approach during the race. His humble attitude, stating, “trust the process,” exemplifies the sportsmanship that Team Samoa embodies.
Both Kokoro and Paige will compete again, not only in their individual events but also in team competitions. Kokoro’s enthusiasm shone through as he declared he’s “always keen to suit up for the team,” great camaraderie and support among the Samoan swimmers. He concluded with heartfelt words about the experience, saying, “It’s been amazing, so good to be all together representing our country – it’s just an amazing feeling.”
With such solid performances and team spirit, the excitement around their journey is obvious, and it’s evident that both athletes are ready to continue making their mark on this prestigious stage.