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Isaiah gets most FINA points in CNMI history
CNMI national swimmers Isaiah Aleksenko, right, and Jinnosuke Suzuki pose for a photo before competing in their events in the 2022 FINA World Championships in Melbourne. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Isaiah Aleksenko finally turned his limitless potential into reality on Day 3 of the 2022 FINA World Championships last Wednesday in Melbourne.
The 16-year-old phenom from Marianas High School earned 682 points after swimming the 200m butterfly in 2:02.96.
“Isaiah Aleksenko made one more amazing history! Isaiah swam in the 200m butterfly. Not only did he accomplish his goal first but also his time is so amazing. His 682 points in the event is the highest FINA point in the history of NMI swimming,” said Team NMI coach Hiroyuki Kimura.
To top it off, Kimura said Aleksenko also beat Guam’s top swimmer Jimi Hendricks “by an overwhelming distance” further cementing Aleksenko as the next big thing as far as CNMI swimming is concerned.
“I was really happy with my results for the 200m butterfly and for the 50m freestyle. I hope next year I can beat this time and cut two minutes for my butterfly,” said Aleksenko.
The next day on Thursday, Aleksenko also made waves when he timed in at 23.31 in the first leg of the 50m x 4 freestyle relay.
“The first swimmer’s time in the relay event becomes an official time. He broke Juhn Tenorio’s 23.97 from the FINA World Championships in Abu Dhabi last year. Isaiah’s time is almost 23 seconds. If he cuts 23, it is USA National level. But his 50m freestyle FINA points is 654. So, it means his 200 butterfly’s level is higher than his 50m freestyle. We will keep brushing up on his butterfly from now on,” said Kimura.
Aside from Aleksenko, Maria Batallones also performed well in the pool last Thursday, submitting a 28.32 in the freestyle relay.
“It’s also a fantastic time! Even if it’s just in a short course meet, we’ve never seen 28 seconds since (former CNMI national swimmer) Nina Mosley,” the NMI team coach added.
Aleksenko and Batallones are joined in the Land Down Under by Jinnosuke Suzuki and Shoko Litulumar.
