Swimmers experience ups in Down Under

From left, Jinnosuke Suzuki, Shoko Litulumar, coach Hiroyuki Kimura, Maria Batallones, and Isaiah Aleksenko at the Central Sports Club Training Center in Tokyo after their stint in the 2022 FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The CNMI National Swimming Team didn’t only reset nine  national records in last week’s 2022 FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, but also experienced so many highs in the Land Down Under.

Maria Batallones, who broke two records in the short-course meet, was very proud of her results and her performance in the 2022 FINA World Championships.

“I was definitely not expecting such great results. This all came to me as a surprise, which I am very happy about. It was such a fun experience to be racing and an opportunity I enjoyed. This competition brought so much joy to me. I was more excited than nervous and I was very comfortable in the environment. It’s a great environment and very different from usual,” she said.

Jinnosuke Suzuki, for his part, said swimming against the best in the world in the World Championships only made him better. 

“I was super happy that I was able to break my own record by a second for the 200m freestyle because that is what I was working for. I was hoping to get a best time for the 100m freestyle but unfortunately was not able to. Swimming against world class swimmers was a great experience because it gave me more motivation to improve and get to their level.”

Isaiah Aleksenko, who reset four national records, said the Melbourne meet is something he wouldn’t readily forget. 

“I really loved this trip and wish to stay longer. Everyone here is so nice and polite, I hope to visit Australia again. I’m also really happy with the results I got and the times. Everyone who was swimming in the world champs were all very big and tall and as well very fast. I hope to go to the World Champs again and get better times and more records.”

Shoko Litulumar, meanwhile, admitted she could’ve swam better  during the 2022 FINA World Championships.

 “Overall, I feel like I could have done better. Seeing the top athletes swim warm up right next to me made me feeI like I have a lot of things I need to improve on, such as technique, stamina, physical strength, and mental state. I need to be in my top form to do my best and be the best. So until the next competition, I will do everything in my power to improve myself for the better,” said Litulumar, who was a member of two record-breaking relay teams.

Even their parents chimed in on the progress of their children competing in Australia. 

“Being a parent of an NMI national swimming team member, I’m so very proud of my daughter Maria Corazon Ayson Batallones that she is  bringing the name of our island ‘Saipan’ to the World Championship,” said Judith Ayson Batallones.

“I cannot explain how much effort Shoko puts into swimming, but swimming is her high priority. I am proud that she is so happy to represent the CNMI. I’m thankful for coach Hiro and the team,” said Ayumi Litulumar, Shoko’s mother.

“I would like to express my appreciation for all his teammates, federation, and coach. Team NMI has brought honor, recognition, and respect to the NMI. To take pride in the countless hours, he spent training, responding to the fair demands he received from his coach. His love for his teammates and the sport of swimming is evident to all of us. And now I hope he’s ready to compete in the biggest competition of all: life!” said Suzuki’s mother Yukari
Suzuki.

All four CNMI swimmers contributed to the nine national records broken.

Aleksenko broke four NMI records—the 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 50m freestyle, and 50m backstroke.

Suzuki, meanwhile, eclipsed his own record in the 200m freestyle.
Batallones, for her part, obliterated the old record in the 50m breastroke and also reset the previous mark in the 100m breastroke.

In the relay, the quartet of Aleksenko, Suzuki, Batallones, and Litulumar swam new standards in both the 50m x 4 mixed free relay and medley free relay.

Hiroyuki Kimura served as CNMI national coach in the Melbourne meet.