Finau Ohuafi has spent years trying to break the 54-second barrier.
Within months of arriving at Bond University, he finally did.
The 25-year-old Tongan swimmer, who has qualified for the 50m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle at next month’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, said the move to the Gold Coast had helped him make a major breakthrough.
“I had been trying to break the 54-second barrier for a very, very long time, and within six to eight months of coming here I broke it,” Ohuafi said.
“I was very emotional when I did that. Bond really, really helped me.
“The coaches plan the right sessions for you. It’s more individualised, with a balance of pool work, gym and kilometres. That was very new to me.”
Ohuafi arrived at Bond through a World Aquatics scholarship after several years training in Thailand.
He said representing Tonga at the Commonwealth Games was difficult to put into words.
“I’m just really happy to represent my small country with pride and joy,” he said.
“It’s a very big thing.”
Ohuafi is one of seven international swimmers preparing for Glasgow from a shared training base at Bond.
Senior Coach Zander Hey said Ohuafi had made the most of his time at Bond.
“Finau came here with a lot of pride in representing Tonga, and he has made real progress because he is prepared to do the work,” Hey said.
“He has shown what a difference the right support and training environment can make.”
Ohuafi said his father had also been a big influence.
“My dad always told me to be consistent and disciplined in everything I do, even the little things,” he said.
“No matter how hard it is, you just have to be consistent and keep showing up.”
His goal in Glasgow is to swim a personal best and set a new national record for Tonga.
Longer term, Ohuafi hopes the Commonwealth Games will be another step towards representing Tonga at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will be held from July 23 to August 2.
- Bond Newsroom.
