SWIMMER Meli Malani’s win at the Fiji Sports Awards motivated the Fiji swimming squad as they took part in their fitness test yesterday at the National Aquatic Centre.
Malani was declared the Sportsman of the Year and according to Fiji Swimming president Jerome Kado, Malani is constantly improving his time and could very well feature in the Olympics.
“The award last night is sure a motivation for these swimmers.
“We have a squad of 35 and we are impressed with the results of the fitness trials,” he said.
“The times are tracking well and we have some medal contenders but we are hoping to improve on their times.
“We also have six overseas-based athletes and they have attained qualification time.
“All in all, Swimming Fiji is looking to send 14 athletes to the Pacific Games but this number could change depending on the performance by the athletes.”
Fiji did not win any gold medal in the last Pacific Games and Kado knows that competition from the New Caledonians will be tough and hosts Papua New Guinea would obviously want to impress at home.
“Our swimmers are unlike other athletes.
“They are constantly in and out of water and are very dedicated to the training,” Kado said.
“The swimmers have just had a two kilometre endurance swim so you can see the we are not only concentrating on speed.”
