Thursday 12th December
Guam took on two more events today at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships, with Amaya Bollinger and Jaden Francis competing in 200m butterfly.
As Amaya approached the pool deck, she could hear her friends and teammates in the crowd. She had her coach’s words in her mind ‘focus on the swim and technique, don’t worry about the level that anyone else is on – just focus on yourself’.
With this unwavering support she took to the blocks and shared how she gathered her composure for the race ahead: “when I got on the blocks everything tuned out and I focussed on what I was about to do”. Amaya was first into the pool today for Team Guam. She started strongly with a fantastic reaction time of 0.65. Her determination propelled her through the first 25 meters at a great pace and time of 15.01 seconds. Her remaining split times followed with consistent speed and control and at the halfway point she was delivering a cumulative time of 1:08.46. With these strong starts and great times, Amaya took home a personal best final time of 2:02.39.
Though this event presented a different challenge for Amaya, who typically participates in longer course meets, she embraced the experience. “The water felt great; I love the water whenever I go to these off-island meets. It’s really nice,” she reflected.
With an impressive track record in major competitions, Amaya is well-positioned to inspire fellow swimmers stepping onto the international stage. She shared valuable advice, noting, “Swimming takes a lot of effort and dedication, so if you keep working on it, you’ll improve. You’ll see the results of your hard work.”
Jaden Francis joined Amaya in the pool, benefitting from the camaraderie of seasoned competitors like Amaya and Israel Poppe, who swam for Guam the previous day. As he stepped up for his debut at a world championship, nerves accompanied him to the starting block. Nevertheless, excitement filled the air as he witnessed the vibrant crowd. “It was great to see everyone in the stands and to be swimming in this amazing environment.”
Jaden launched into the race with a commendable reaction time of 0.78 seconds, showcasing his skill with a first 25m split of 12.93 seconds. He maintained his steady rhythm and reached the 100m mark with a cumulative time of 1:02.58, finishing strong with an impressive final time of 2:22.47.
After the race, Jaden’s beaming expression conveyed the joy he experienced on the world stage. Catching his breath, he reflected on the unforgettable experience: “It’s been amazing. It was my first big international meet, so I’m just taking it all in and having fun with it. Enjoying the process.” His hard work and diligent training clearly paid off as he seized this opportunity.
Both Amaya and Jaden are now looking forward to their next challenges, the 100m butterfly set for the following day. With their training firmly behind them, Amaya emphasised the importance of mental preparation, explaining that she will keep replaying the race in her mind and then simply see how it unfolds.
As Guam continues to compete on this grand stage, the spirit of dedication and resilience shines brightly through these talented swimmers.