Jakey makes debut in World Championships

The CNMI’s Jakey Deleon Guerrero in action in the 100m breaststroke event last Sunday in the 20th FINA World Championships last Sunday in Fukuoka, Japan. (FINA)

The 17-year-old Marianas High School student was the first of four CNMI swimmers to plunge into competition in the 2023 World Aquatics Championships.

“My first event was the 100m breaststroke, where I clocked in at 1:12. Looking back, I am thankful for all the support my teammates, family, and friends provided me as this was my first official swim in over five years,” he said.

Deleon Guerrero said he’s mighty proud that he was able to represent the CNMI on the world stage.

“It made me happy to have my parents watch me and see that their son was on the big screen because they would not stop sharing how proud they were that their son was on the screen.”
As for finally swimming in an official competition pool, Deleon Guerrero admitted that he and his teammates Isaiah Aleksenko, Mario Batallones, and Shoko Litulumar are beyond elated to have the great opportunity.

“It honestly is a real shocker due to the fact that we swim in a 23-meter short course pool, so the length of swimming varies by a lot. It felt a lot longer than a 100m at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan pool.”

The CNMI has been bereft of an official competition pool after the mothballing of the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool in Marpi years back.

Deleon Guerrero also confessed being a bit starstrucked seeing his swimming idols up close and personal in Fukuoka, Japan.

“It feels unreal because the swimmers you see on TV or YouTube casually warming up in the same lane next to you and it made me ponder on how crazy it is to see them in real life after watching them swim growing up.

Just some of the swimmers Deleon Guerrero and the rest of the CNMI swimming team are watching and rooting for in the World Championships include U.S. Olympians Ryan Murphy, who is the gold medalist in the backstroke; Lilly King, the world record-holder for the breastroke; and David Popovici, who is the world record holder in the 100m freestyle.

CNMI national swimming coach Hiroyuku Kimura congratulated Deleon Guerrero for finally getting the butterflies out of his stomach following his debut last Sunday.

“He did very well. Because we don’t have a swimming pool but our swimmers never gave up to do their best under such a situation. Of our four swimmers in this World Championships, Jakey especially has a bigger disadvantage for competition. The other three already had experience of swim competition after COVID-19. But Jakey hasn’t had an experience in a long time. I respect his bravery and strong spirit very much,” he said.

Yesterday, Deleon Guerrero tackled his favorite 100m breaststroke event, while Litulumar will see action today in the 50m backstroke. Deleon Guerrero, Litulumar, Aleksenko, and Batallones will also compete in the 100×4 medley relay.

Aside from Kimura and the four national swimmers, assistant coach Christian Villacrusis and Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation vice president John Hirsh comprised the rest of Team NMI in Fukuoka, Japan.

The NMISF would also like to thank the following for helping the swimmers and coaches fund their trip to Japan: CNMI Legislature, Saipan Mayor Ramon B. Camacho, Aqua Resort Club, BAB Restaurant, Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, Dae Jang Kum Restaurant, Fishing Tackle & Sporting Goods, Gold’s Gym Saipan, 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, Saipan Swim Club parents, Tsunami Saipan parents, and all who supported NMISF’s fundraising activities.