Savusavu swimmer David Tolu Young created history on Thursday, becoming the first Fijian to reach a USA Open final.
The 20-year-old who is currently studying at the Arizona State University swam a new personal best time of 21.92s in the men’s 50-meter freestyle at the US Open Championship.
Fiji swimming coach Sharon Pickering-Smith said Tolu’s achievement marks a significant breakthrough for the sport of Swimming in Fiji.
Young holds the national record in the men’s 50-metre freestyle with a times of 22.15s which he set at the Australian National Swimming trials earlier this year.
“He has already created history by qualifying for three events at the World Championships, and now to reach the A Finals at the US Open against world class competitors lifts our national standard even further.
“This result shows what is possible for Fijian athletes on the global stage, and we believe it is only the beginning. The entire swimming fraternity is incredibly proud of him and inspired by what he has accomplished,” she said.
Earlier this year, Young had set a new national record of 22.15s in the men’s 50-metre freestyle at the Australian National Swimming trials in Adelaide.
