Tonga’s swim team members have set new national records for Tonga while competing at the 5^th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan held from 17 - 27 September.

Charissa Panuve (22), Noelani Day (14), Andrew Lapuka (20), and Finau Ohuafi (16) competed against top athletes from Asia, Middle East, and Oceania.

Their coach, Vila Day said the swimmers achieved 21 personal best times and set seven national records at the games while taking part in a total of 22 events over four days.

“This is a huge achievement given that our local athletes train primarily in the ocean without a proper swimming pool, facilities or high performance coaching,” said Vila.

She said it was an eye opener to see the world-class facilities in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and the great support their government provided their athletes who are sent overseas for specialized training or had elite coaches brought in to train them.

For Tonga’s swim team, Vila said being able to compete at this level “is an achievement in itself given their constant struggle against all odds, and then to come out and rack up personal best times and set seven new national records in Short Course Swimming, that was an additional bonus and we are so proud of our swim team.”

In addition to these achievements, Finau Ohuafi won two heats.

“Our swimmers see every challenge as an opportunity for growth and improvement, and are grateful and appreciative of any opportunity to swim for their country.”

Vila said they were grateful to the Tonga Amateur Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) for recognizing the swimmers consistent performances this year and for inviting them to represent Tonga.

She said “they still have a lot to learn and improve upon, but every competition is an important stepping stone in the right direction and these kids swim their heart out every time they compete.”

The results are:

Noelani Day, Female, Age 14
5 Events, 5 Personal Best Times, 1 National Record in 50 Breaststroke

Charissa Panuve, Female, Age 22
6 Events, 6 Personal Best Times, 3 National Records in 100 and 50 Butterfly, and 100 Individual Medley

Finau Ohuafi, Male, Age 16
5 Events, 4 Personal Best Times, 2 National Records in 50 Freestyle and 50 Backstroke

Andrew Lapuka, Male, Age 20
6 Events, 6 Personal Best Times, 1 National Record in 100 Breaststroke

The swimmers have returned to Tonga and are focusing on their next international competition, the Fiji Short Course Regional Championships and will start fundraising to be able to attend.

Their long term goal is to prepare for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympics, FINA World Championships, 2019 Pacific Games and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Other representives for Tonga at the games included the Taedwondo team, Sisfa Konifalanisesi, Sione Tufi, Malia Paseka and Luke Uhi Taekwondo and Sateki Langi in weightlifting. They did not progress beyond the first round of competition.