FOR eighteen-year-old Fiji swimmer Kelera Mudunasoko, next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland will be more than just another international competition.
It will be a chance to showcase how far she has come since making her debut as a young swimmer at fourteen-years-old.
The Nadi-born breaststroke specialist has secured qualification in four events, booking her place in the 50 metres, 100m and 200m breaststroke races, as well as the Fiji’s mixed 4x100m medley relay team.
With family roots to Lakeba in Lau and maternal links to Volivoli Village in Nadroga, Mudunasoko continues to carry the hopes of her family, community and country every time she dives into the pool wearing Fiji’s colours.
“It’s an incredible honour,” Mudunasoko said.
“I feel so proud to represent my country, especially at international level.”
Now based in Gold Coast Australia, the young lass has spent the last seven months training through a scholarship pathway at Bond University. Mudunasoko is now training in an environment that has pushed her to new levels.
“The training is very different, in a good way,” she said.
“Back at home I only trained once a day in the pool. Now I get to train twice, and the coach helps with my technique.”
Unlike her first Commonwealth Games appearance, where everything was new and unfamiliar, Mudunasoko now heads to Glasgow with valuable experience and a clearer understanding of what it takes to compete against some of the world’s best swimmers.
“This is my second Games now. The first time I was pretty young, so I was new to everything and the environment,” she said.
“Going for the second time is pretty cool because I know what to do now.”
Representing Fiji remains her greatest motivation.
Each race is an opportunity to fly the national flag with pride and inspire the next generation of swimmers dreaming of following a similar path from local pools to international arenas.
Her journey has been supported by her parents, coaches, and teammates, whose encouragement has helped her navigate the highs and lows of elite sport.
“My parents have been supporting me throughout, and I’m very grateful. My teammates really motivate me. It’s pretty hard to wake up and do the hard training every morning, but everyone’s doing the same thing as you are, so it’s pretty cool.”
While her immediate focus is on Glasgow, Mudunasoko is also looking beyond the pool. She hopes to pursue studies in aviation while continuing to compete at an elite level, balancing her sporting ambitions and plans for a future career.
“I’d like to do both,” she said.
“Be a pilot and keep swimming. Los Angeles 2028, that’s a long-term goal. I’d actually like to make that.”
As the countdown to the Commonwealth Games continues, Mudunasoko is determined to make the most of her second appearance and leave her mark on the international stage, proving that dedication, resilience and hard work can take Fiji’s athletes from the islands to the world.
