BRUSHING away anxiety, Isaia Saukuru of Nadi Airport School swam for a first-place finish in the men’s boys under 11-12 50m backstroke of the 2026 Fiji National Schools Swimming Championships in Suva yesterday.
He finished the race with a time of 50.09s, while his teammate Asesela Lelenasiga came second with 53.74s and Maikali Qalilawa in third with a time of 58.03s.
Saukuru said he entered the competition with the mindset of having fun, to not be scared or anxious and compete to the best of his ability.
“I was trying to not be scared. I was just trying to have fun and not to be very anxious,” Saukuru told Times Sport after the race.
The young swimmer hails from the village of Saunaka in Nadi and is a year six student, while being an all-rounder student with strong performances in his academic and extra-curricular work.
His favourite subject in school is Social Science.
Saukuru was overjoyed with winning the race yesterday and even more so at doing so with his teammate in second.
Grateful for the win, he thanked his coaches and teachers who assisted him with training at the Nadi Sports Club and the Nadi Airport Swimming Pool.
Preparing himself there, he found the process exciting and enjoyable.
“It was all fun, it was all exciting to be around the swimming pool and at home to prepare.
“We used to train at the Nadi Sports Club and the AFL pool (Nadi Airport Swimming Pool).”
Also present to see him swim in the competition were his parents, his grandmother and cousins.
He is also competing in the 100m backstroke, the 100m backstroke and the 50m freestyle.
