Isaiah Aleksenko raises the CNMI flag after being chosen as the Team Marianas flagbearer in the 2023 Pacific Games, which will be held in Honiara, the Solomon Islands from Nov. 19 to Dec. 2.
SWIMMER Isaiah Aleksenko, a Marianas High School senior, has been chosen as the Team Marianas flagbearer for the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games, which will be held in Honiara, the Solomon Islands.
Chef de Mission Nick Gross made the announcement during a sendoff ceremony Wednesday at the Ada gym for the 102 local athletes that will see action in 10 different sports.
Aleksenko said he was happy and thankful for being chosen as the flagbearer.
“It felt good…and I was nervous because there were a lot of people. But I’m happy that I get to be the flagbearer,” he added.
“It’s a pleasure to be the flagbearer, so thank you. I thought it wasn’t just going to be me. I thought there were going to be more chosen from each team, so yeah it was unexpected.”
As for the Pacific Games, he hopes “everyone will do well and I wish them the best of luck.” He expects to bring home at least three medals in swimming.
In 2021 and 2022, Aleksenko was named one of the two Northern Marianas Sports Association Student Athletes of the Year.
In the 2022 Pacific Mini Games hosted by the CNMI, he was a member of the local triathlon team that won the bronze medal.
