A REFLECTION of the past, an understanding of the present and the aim to do better are what drive Team Fiji swimmer Jeremiah Rova into the 14th Oceania Swimming Championships 2026.
Rova competed in events such as the men’s 100m breaststroke and the 400m individual medley (IM) where he was the lone Fijian competitor in the pool during the heats in session five on day three yesterday.
Competing in the regional meet on home turf was a bonus for him as he was pleased to see the large turnout of supporters and family members to cheer on him and his fellow Team Fiji swim mates.
“Swimming in your home ground with the crowd behind you has been good,” he shared.
He added being part of the national team meant having role models such as top swimmer David “Tolu” Young and Hansel McCaig as key figures to be led and taught by.
“Coming into camp, it’s been good having role models here like (David) “Tolu” Young and Hansel McCaig being able to mentor me and my fellow swimmers (such as) the young ones,” Rova said.
While he mentioned competition had gone well with these factors in mind, he admitted he may not have done his best but kept firm the belief of trusting in the process.
“I’m not doing my best; I’m dropping times but not to the times I want but just trust the process, move on to the next one and focus on the next.”
Reflecting on his 400m heat, he said it felt good to finish it even as he took the difficulty of the race in stride while strutting his stuff in the pool.
