By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horozon news staff

An amazing 11 of 12 events that the three Palauan national swimming athletes competed in the 12th FINA (Federation Internationale De Natation Amateur) World Championships in Melbourne Australia are new personal best times.
IB Misech set a new personal best times in all four events that he competed. These are 50m freestyle 20.52 seconds that erased his old mark of 30.8 seconds; 100m freestyle 1:05.08 compared to his old mark of 1:05.80; 200m freestyle 2:28.81 better than his previous record of 2:40.00; and in the 50m backstroke with a time of 33.54 eclipsing his old mark of 35.78.
Sikosang Yobech failed to erase her personal best time of 1:18.00 in the 100m backstroke after finishing with a time of 1:20.78.
But she set personal best times in four other events. These are the 50m freestyle 32.10 (new) 33.0 (old); 100m freestyle 1:10.65 (new) 1:12.33 (old); 50m backstroke 36.97 (new) 36.99 (old).
She also finished with a time of 36.97 in the 50m backstroke, where she swam for the first time.
Maria Gibbons also set new personal best times in all three events that she joined. These are 50m freestyle 31.75 (new) 33.71 (old); 100m freestyle 1:14.96 (new) 1:17.26 (old) and 200m freestyle 2:50.04 (new) 2:58.00 (old).
Sen. Otto serves as Chef De Mission
Meanwhile, Sen. Caleb T. Otto served as Chef De Mission during the event that also included coach Tina Shima, and chaperone Annabel Lyman.
Otto, who is also a member of the Palau National Olympic Committee Board of Directors, expressed great admiration for the young swimmers, who are all under the age of 16, and was ecstatic at their successful foray in the world championships. This was the second world championship for Misech and Yobech but first for young Maria Gibbons Otto stressed the importance of sports promotion and development, especially for youth.
"Swimming is one of only two sports that are normally invited to participate in the Olympic Games," he said. "Promotion of swimming is a unique opportunity to elevate Palau's status in the world sporting arena."
The World Championships, held from March 17 to April 1, featured approximately 2200 athletes from 171 nations; FINA President Mustapha Larfaoui declared the Melbourne Championships as the biggest and best in 34-year history of the event.
Having excelled in each of their personal times, Team Palau's swimmers are well on their way towards preparing for the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa.