The 2015 Fiji Short Course Nationals took place October 9-11th at the Nadi Sports Club. An incredible number of national records fell during the 3-day competition, which resulted in an overall team win by Suva’s Dolphin Club, followed by Nadi Barracudas and Suva Tritons, who finished in 2nd and 3rd places overall, respectively.
Fiji Swimming Vice President, Viliame Takayawa said of the multitude of national records broken, “it is an indication that there has been a progressive improvement in the sport compared to what it was 5-6 years ago. Now we have swimmers that could easily be in the top 8 of the Oceania.”
A few star standouts of the competition included Nadi Barracudas swimmer Rosamarie Rova, 13. Her meet was highlighted by new national marks in the girls 13-14 200 butterfly (2:40.00), girls 13-14 400 IM (5:39.67) and girls’ 13-14 100 IM (1:10.08).
Dolphin Swim Club’s Matelita Buadromo also wreaked havoc on the record books, clocking new national marks in the girls 17+ 1500 free (19:12.18), girls 17+ 400 IM (5:37.12), girls 17+ 800 free (9:33.17) and girls 17+ 400 free (4:41.89).
13 year-old Temafa Yalimaiwai of Triton Swim Club did some damage on the boys’ side, registering new national records across multiple events including the boys 13-14 200 free (2:06.95), boys 13-14 1500 free (19:31.03), boys 13-14 400 free (4:36.49) and 200 breaststroke (2:40.83).
Reviewing the results, Takayawa is confident that there is a solid pool of 13-15 swimmers who are ready to take on both regional and national competitions and be expected to perform well. “Before there was just an individual taking part in all the events but now we have a respectable group of swimmers who specialise in their own events. We also have those competing at the elite levels from 18-20 and we also have those aged 13-15 who are equally fast,” he said.