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Swimmers debut in Junior World Champs
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Posted on Sep 02 2022
CNMI national swimmers Jinie Thompson, left, and Savita Sikkel take a photo before plunging into the pool in Day 2 of the 2022 FINA Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
Jinie Thompson and Savita Sikkel finally plunged into the pool in the 2022 FINA Junior World Championships in Lima, Peru.
National coach Richard Sikkel said Thompson was able to record a personal best in the 100m freestyle yesterday after the duo battled an early start on the first day of competition a day prior.
Thompson’s 1:09 in the 100m freestyle eclipsed her previous record.
“I’m glad that I dropped nearly a second in my 100m freestyle with the time of 1:09. It goes to show what just a month of consistent training can do. I hope to break this recent PB soon as well,” she said.
Savita, meanwhile, was disqualified in the same event after making a bad turn.
Coach Sikkel said Thompson’s PB somehow made up for the CNMI swimmers’ struggles in Day 1 of the Junior World Championships where Thompson completed the 100m backstroke in 1:24 and Savita in 1:26.
“Tough day after a delayed arrival last night. Very early start this morning to get some backstroke practice in. Starts and races weren’t perfect, but they have the first race under their belt. Pool facility is nice, fairly new. Food and hotels are good and plentiful,” he said.
Despite the relatively slow times, Thompson and Savita’s 100m backstroke times still counted as their personal bests.
“They haven’t swam an official 100m back in ages, so these are new PBs, but both are capable of swimming faster times though,” said coach Sikkel
Thompson seemed to agree with the Saipan Swim Club coach that Day 1 of the Junior World Championships was an uneven start.
“The first day of competition is always the hardest because you’re new to the arena and a majority of your nerves are riled up. I’m glad I got my first event, which was the 100m backstroke, done…I have yet the chance to see much of Peru as I have been spending the entirety of my day going from the pool to the hotel. Hopefully once all our events are over we will have time to explore this beautiful country!” she said.
Savita, meanwhile, is enjoying their trip to Peruvian capital.
“So far, Peru has been a fun experience,” she said.
Joining the three in Peru is Northern Marianas Swimming Federation president Colin Thompson, who is representing Oceania Swimming.
