Day 4 of the 22nd World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Singapore saw Guam’s whole team step confidently onto the world stage, with strong efforts from Amaya Bollinger, Israel Poppe and Ocean Campus.
Up first for Team Guam was Israel Poppe in his first swim of the competition, 18-year-old Israel Poppe raced in a fast heat of the Men’s 100m Freestyle, lining up alongside fellow Pacific islanders Josh Tarere (PNG) and Finau Ohuafi (Tonga). The youngest in the heat, Poppe had one of the fastest reaction times at 0.62, showing sharp focus and excellent race readiness.
He hit the wall in a time of 53.91, a new personal best, beating his previous time set earlier this year in Australia. “That race was fun,” he said post-race. “I was beside some pretty fast people, and I tried my best… I was hoping for a little better, maybe a 52, but I’ll take the PB.”
When asked what goes through his head before the race, Israel shared: “Not much. I just focus on what I have to do, not what might happen, but what I am going to do.”
He also noted how much he appreciated the conditions in Singapore. “The pool was cold, and I loved that. At home, our pool isn’t really cold unless it rains a lot. So it’s been nice to swim in this temperature for a week.”
Next up 16-year-old Ocean Campus stepped up for his second and final race of the competition: the Men’s 200m Individual Medley. The youngest swimmer in his heat, Ocean showed confidence and control from the start, delivering a quick reaction time of 0.64, the third fastest into the pool in this heat.
He clocked 2:24.35, a strong personal best in his first official swim over this distance. “It was alright, it was good,” he said. “My time was a little slow, but it was fun.”
Ocean, who competed earlier in the week in the 200m Freestyle, has soaked up every moment of his Worlds debut. “I just listen to my coach and follow his instructions,” he said. “He told me to work the walls, go hard off the walls, and focus on my underwaters.”
When asked what he’s learned from racing against swimmers from around the world, he smiled: “All the guys are really big and buff… I gotta hit the weight room more.”
As he reflected on his highlights of being in Singapore, at the major event, he shared his favorite moments: “Watching finals, that’s been the most fun part.”
As for how he plans to treat himself after finishing his Worlds schedule: “Probably go sleep more!” A well earned rest for this double personal best achievement at this competition and plenty more finals to watch, enjoy and learn from.
‘In Lane 4, representing Canada …Summer McIntosh’
The Olympic Games gold medallist was announced for the third and final Heat of the Women’s 200m Butterfly Heats on day 4 of these World Aquatics Championships.
Lining up alongside her was Amaya Bollinger of Guam. Following on from her positive performance in the 100m version, she was looking to lower her own personal best of 2-34.27.
Focussing on her own lane she completed the 4 lengths just outside that time in 2-35.09 and reflected afterwards.
‘I really felt it the last 50. So, for the first 100 I really try to keep loose and not use any more energy than I absolutely need and then I try to pick it up by the third 50 and then the last 50 is just use everything I have left.’
It was a creditable effort coming off the back of a busy period which included the recent Pacific Mini Games in Palau.
Behind the scenes, we asked dad and coach Darrick Bollinger, himself an Olympian from the Atlanta Games, what advice he’d offered Amaya when he saw she was in the same Heat as McIntosh.
‘Just embrace it!’
So, what were Amaya’s thoughts when she saw the Start List?
‘Oh my gosh. I was like there’s no way. They’re going to put me in another heat, this is just a misstype right? Then I got into the waiting room – what am I doing in this heat? But, it was definitely a cool experience.’
She went on to describe how she kept her control and focus despite the illustrious athlete next to her.
‘The way I swim, I have to really focus on myself and I have to keep reminding myself that this is my swim, not anybody else’s and that I just need to be in control of what I do. It doesn’t matter what they do.’
It’s a brilliant piece of advice for any swimmer; from someone who is just 17.
After the excitement of the Heat it was a moment to reflect on the week here in Singapore.
‘My dad just before this race said to just work on my turns and make sure I don’t get disqualified. I’m not unhappy with my times. They weren’t too far off my personal best and you can’t make your best all the time. So, I’ll take it as a learning experience and then really work towards beating it at my next long course meet ‘
We offered Amaya a magic wand to wish for her next magical swimming moments. Needless to say they were clearly in focus, irrespective of having just brushed shoulders with the Canadian star.
‘For my 100 fly, I definitely want to go 105, 104, I’m really hoping. And then for my two fly, I need to get down to sub 30. That’s my end goal right now so getting down as close as I can to 30 is my goal right now. ‘
Finally, Amaya left us with a smile,
‘That’s it I am done. I’m gonna take a pretty long bath I think when I get back to my hotel and then I can eat whatever I want now. Then it’s time to support my teammate who has one more event and just enjoy the rest of the time we are here.’
–Ends–
Written by The Reporters’ Academy