FIJI team swimmers Marseleima Moss and David Young wrapped up their campaigns at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Singapore with strong performances and personal milestones.
Moss, 18, clocked a personal best of 2 minutes 30.72 seconds in the Women’s 200 metres Backstroke, slicing more than five seconds off her previous record.
It was her second personal best at the championships, having earlier achieved one in the 50 metres Backstroke.
“I have to be happy with a season’s best,” Moss said.
“Not the time I wanted but I mean a PB, so I can’t really ask for anymore. I was just hoping for under 2.30. I felt a bit short, but it’s okay.”
Moss, a four-time Oceania Championship medallist, spoke about the challenges of the 200metres Backstroke event and how she tried to stay focused during the race.
“I think personally a 200 metres back is pretty tough. I wasn’t really too sure how I was going to perform. I think my turns were pretty good. I was just trying to focus more on underwater and keeping in control.”
Moss had just returned from the Pacific Mini Games in Palau two weeks ago.
She said that trusting in the training and having a strong support team helped her stay focused.
Meanwhile, teammate David Young competed in the Men’s 50 metres Freestyle, clocking 22.32 seconds, just shy of his own national record of 22.15.
“I was definitely pushing more on this one. I mean I can’t complain too much. It was a solid swim,” Young said.
Despite a slightly off dive, he said he kept pushing to the wall.
“I just tried not to think about it too much and swim as fast as I could.”
Young now plans to return home to training and focus on both his 50m and 100m freestyle events.
The World Championships end today in Singapore.
