Finau ‘Ohuafi (15) and Noelani Day (13) achieved their personal best when they represented Tonga at the FINA 5km New Zealand Open Water Championships in Lake Taupo, on 15 January.

Vila Day Team Manager from the Malolo Swim Club said both their swimmers raced with New Zealand's top open water swimmers in the open age category event, including top female open water swimmer, Charlotte Webby.

She said the intense competition pulled a personal best time out of the two, with Finau finishing at 1:39.08 (6 minute personal best), and Noelani Day with a time of 1:33.54 (12 minute personal best).

Unfortunately, upon reaching up to hit the finish line timing pad, Noelani took one step forward as she touched to finish, which according to FINA regulations caused her to be disqualified.

“Given that neither our swimmers or coaches were aware of this technical rule, we count it as a learning experience but we are still happy with the personal best time results.”

The pair continued on to Auckland and competed in the Anthony Mosse Classic pool competition, representing, Malolo Swim Club.

Finau started off strong setting a 30 second personal best in his 200m backstroke, and continued to do well in his next two events (50 Free and 100 Fly) in a very fast back-to-back schedule, but then collapsed and had to be rushed to the ER.

Vila said the doctor advised him to withdraw from the competition with only two-days left in the competition until he gets a full heart scan in Tonga and be cleared. Unfortunately, Finau was unable to continue to compete.

Noelani did exceptionally well, earning two bronze medals (50 Breast and 100 Fly), and set nine Personal Best times out of 12 events that she competed in, she said.

The pair have returned to Nuku’alofa and recently competed in an Open Water Swim Competition hosted by Hakula Swim Club/Tonga Swimming on Saturday, January 28.

The swim was a 1.8km from Pangaimotu Island to the oean pool at Touliki.

Finau came first, Noelani in second followed by Iki Tu'itavake of the Hakula Swimming Club and then Andrew Emberson coming in very close to him in fourth place.

Finau and Noelani are now training hard for their next competition, the Fiji LC Regionals in Suva to be held from April 21-23 this year.

Mandy Hill, the Malolo Swim Club's Coach also accompanied the swimmers.