NMI swim team off to FINA World Championships

From left, CNMI national swimming team assistant coach Christian Villacrusis, swimmers Jakey Deleon Guerrero, Shoko Litulumar, NMISF vice president John Hirsh, swimmers Maria Batallones and Isaiah Aleksenko, and head coach Hiroyuki Kimura pose beside the Pacific Islands Club Saipan pool last week. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The CNMI swimming team, composed of six swimmers, two coaches, and an official, will leave  for Fukuoka, Japan this morning to compete in the 20th FINA World Championships.

Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation vice president John Hirsh said swimmers Isaiah Aleksenko, Jakey Deleon Guerrero, Maria Batallones, and Shoko Litulumar, coach Hiroyuki Kimura, and assistant coach Christian Villacrusis are all stoked to take part in the 2023 World Aquatics World Championships.

“They’ve been training very hard to ensure they’re in the best possible condition to swim well. Each swimmer will swim two events and a relay over the one-week pool competition. While not in the pool our team can enjoy the very best in aquatics by watching water polo, artistic swimming, diving, and open water events. In addition I’ll be attending the swimming events as well as representing our federation at various meetings,” he said.

Hirsh thanked World Aquatics for the CNMI swimmers and coaches’ opportunity to participate in the 20th FINA World Championships. He also gave kudos to the swimmers’ parents and the swimmers themselves for their dedication to training and eagerness to represent the islands.

“In addition the swimmers reached out to the community for extra support to help offset the costs of travel and housing at the Championships. NMI Swimming is proud of these dedicated athletes and wishes them great success!”

Kimura, meanwhile, said the team will leave Saipan at 7:25am this morning and will arrive at Fukuoka around 2:25pm. They will then proceed immediately to  Jyounan City Pool to continue their training. 

“We can use it through an arrangement with Japan’s largest sports club, Central Sports,” he said.

The CNMI swim team will then train at the competition venue itself at Marine Messe A on July 18.

“This is a special deal because the official opening for swimmer training is on July 19. I submitted a request to the organizing committee and got permission to use it directly from World Aquatics sports manager, Mr. Namhee Cho. The head coach of the Fukuoka University swim team, Yamaguchi, also gave us a good offer,” said Kimura.

As for the competition proper that will be from July 23 to 29, the Tsunami Saipan Swimming Center head coach said the CNMI will do everything in their power to make their home islands proud.

“We will do our best to work together to produce good results. I would also like to bring Christian and swimmers to Ramen Alley,” he said.

Aleksenko said as always he’s excited to represent the CNMI in yet another FINA World Championships.

“I’m very excited to compete in this World Championship and hope to represent the CNMI the best I can. I hope to make new friends and enjoy my time there.”

For Deleon Guerrero, being part of the CNMI national swimming team is a big honor.

“I am grateful for this opportunity given to us four as many kids of the CNMI have the chance to represent our islands on such a big scale. The anticipation continues to rise as we will see our efforts in training for over a month pay off.”

Batallones, for her part, said she can’t wait to compete against the world’s best in Fukuoka.

“I’m excited to compete in such competitions with other experienced swimmers. It’s fun to race with each other and make good memories. That is something I am looking forward to. I know my team is ready!”

Litulumar said she will soak everything in the Japan meet and hopes to swim her best there.

“I am very excited to compete in the Fukuoka World Aquatics! It has been so long since I’ve competed in a long course but I feel confident and ready. I will do my best and bring back good results!”

Last but not the least, the Japan meet is Villacrusis’ first time to coach the CNMI team in the World Championships and that aside from the fact that Kimura promised them a trip to Ramen Alley is what he’s most looking forward to.

“I am really excited to go to Fukuoka for the World Champs. The last time I went as a swimmer was in Budapest five years ago. This is my first time going as one of the coaches, so I will try my best to learn from our head coach, Hiro, while supporting the team in any way that I can. I know the kids will represent us well because I get to see how hard they train every single day. I’m also excited to eat some good ramen!”

The CNMI swimming team would like to extend their thanks to the following for helping them defray the cost of their participation to the 20th FINA World Championships: CNMI Legislature, Saipan Mayor Ramon B. Camacho, Aqua Resort Club, BAB Korean Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Dae Jang Kum Restaurant, Fishing Tackle, Gold’s Gym, Islander Rent-a-Car, Korean House Restaurant, Lohas Massage, Mobil Oil Marianas,  Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Pacific, Quick Print, Shell Marianas Corp., Saipan World Resort, Zen Corp. Zoom Chicken, SSC parents, Tsunami Saipan parents, and all who supported NMISF’s fundraising activities.