A Fijian swimmer is making a splash in State Swimming Championships in Washington, US.
Savusavu teenager Tolu Young has been training and competing in the US for more than six months and continues to improve his performance in elite swimming events.
In his latest feat, Young led his Curtis High School team to its first Washington State 4A Championships in 30 years.
He won first place in the 50 yard freestyle, second in the 100 yard freestyle and swam in two relays which also took first place.
Young moved to the US during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021 to further his education and swimming.
In nine months, he’s starred in water polo, earning selection to a Junior Olympics training squad, and broke some Fiji swimming records, his mother, Morika Hunter told The Fiji Times.
“Our family is supportive of Tolu’s wishes to pursue his goal of representing his country, Fiji,” Hunter said.
“It’s fun to compete on the big stage in the US. I know a lot of the top swimmers now and we keep in touch. It’s hard being away from Fiji and family, but I’m grateful for my parents for the opportunity to train and go to school here,” Young pitched in.
His coach Dennis Piccoloto said the Fijian swimmer had caused ripples through his performance.
“Tolu has made a huge impact in our aquatic program, both as a Curtis water polo player and swimmer,” he said.
“He instantly connected with our team, our program and our overall philosophy of going out and always doing your best and having fun. When I met Tolu over Summer, I knew he had some swim experience, but I did not know he would be one of the backbone pieces to our state championship swim team.”
Fiji Swimming has been monitoring Young’s performance, saying he is among the national prospects in coming internationals.
“Tolu’s converted times for the 50 freestyle and 100 freestyle are very impressive,” FS president Ben Rova said.
“His converted 50 free time of 23.51 is not far from the Pacific Games record of 23.03 and his converted 100m free time of 51.70 is 1.26 sec off the 50.44 record.
“We have been getting regular updates on Tolu’s progress and we thank his family for taking the initiative to send him to the US to school and train. We have a number of other Fijian swimmers who are either on college scholarships or on self-arrangements.
“Tolu is currently setting the benchmark for all our swimmers and we are very pleased for him. Before leaving for the US, he was already impressing us so, its no surprise with the continued exposure and training he is getting now he will become a Pacific Games champion in 2023.”
