THE Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation have selected the swimmers that will represent the NMI in the World Aquatic Championships in Fukuoka, Japan from July 14 to 30, and in the World Aquatic Junior Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel from Sept. 4 to 9.
The NMI swimmers seeing action in Japan are Shoko Litulumar, Maria Batallones, Anthony Deleon Guerrero and Isaiah Aleksenko.
Those who will represent the NMI in Israel are Jinie Thompson, Kean Pajarillaga and Taiyo Akimaru
According to coach Richard Sikkel, tryouts began early this month.
“We go for time,” he said. “However, it is really hard because we do not have a regulation-sized pool. It is tricky, so all swimmers do all four strokes and the 50 and 100 meters. If you look at their times, they’re only 100th of a second apart — you can’t see it with the naked eye.”
Asked about the expected performances of the NMI swimmers, he said, “I think they will perform well. Obviously, we’re not world record holders but these guys should all be able to swim their personal best or national records.”
For Anthony Deleon Guerrero, it will be his first time to compete in the world championships. “It’s going to be an amazing experience because I get to travel and make one last trip before I head out from high school,” he said. “I expect to, at least, get personal best times but I already have certain times that my coaches have set, and I expect to meet them. But there’s a lot of training needed to reach that goal.”
The 17-year-old Marianas High School senior added, “Right now, we are just focusing on diving, strength training and overall conditioning.”
Deleon Guerrero said he would like to thank God because “without him I would not have faith to continue pushing myself to where I am now. I would also like to thank my family, my mom and grandma for pushing me to get back to swimming after stopping in my freshman year, as well as my coaches because every day they come out and volunteer their time to train and push us.”
Shoko Litulumar, who has competed in several off-island competitions, has one goal in mind. “I feel excited,” she said. “My main goal is to try and get good times.”
This will be the 16-year-old’s first time competing in the long course. “The pool we are using is only a short course pool, so our coach makes us swim multiple laps — hard sets — with fast cycle times.”
The MHS sophomore and the rest of the team train from Monday through Saturday, except Thursday and Sunday. “Competition will be harder because it’s a long course, but I did my best and got selected so I must have confidence,” Litulumar said.
She would like to thank her parents, swimming teammates and coach for taking her this far. “Without them I would not be physically and mentally prepared for this competition. I think our team is fast, but the next generation will be faster, so I have high expectations for them,” she added.
Sikkel, for his part, would like to recognize and thank the World Aquatics and Oceania Swimming as well the Pacific Islands Club for letting the NMI swimmers use its swimming pool for the selection races.
The NMI swimmers who will compete in the World Aquatic Championships in Japan and the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Israel pose for a photo during practice at the Pacific Islands Club-Saipan swimming pool.
