Don Younger has created history for Fiji after winning the country’s first gold medal at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships in Brisbane yesterday.
The 17-year-old Marist Brothers High School student finished first in the Boys 17-19 50 metres breaststroke with a time of 29.32 seconds.
Younger is a member of the Tritons Swimming Club, the same club as national swimmer Samuel Yalimaiwai, who is currently competing at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Yalimaiwai broke the national 50 metres breaststroke record on Tuesday.
Younger’s gold medal is a major milestone for the Fiji National Schools Swimming Association and a proud moment for his school and club.
Also shining at the championships is 13-year-old Grace Khelan, who claimed her second bronze medal yesterday.
She placed third in the Girls 13 50 metres freestyle with a time of 27.34 seconds.
Khelan had earlier won bronze in the 50 metres butterfly on Monday, Fiji’s first medal of the competition.
The 2025 Fiji Schools Swim Team is taking part in the five-day championships at the Sleeman Sports Complex in Chandler.
The team is made up of 62 student swimmers, 42 boys and 20 girls, aged between 13 and 18.
They have been competing against top swimmers from various Australian states and territories.
Meanwhile, the competition wraps up today and the team is hoping to end it on a high note.
