Young Tongan swimmers competed in the 12th Oceania Swimming Championships held on June 25 in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Finau 'Ohuafi (age 17), Andrew Emberson Lapuka (age 21) and Noelani Day (age 15) from the local Malolo Swim Club did well, said coach Vila Day.

Finau made it into the B finals for the 50 fly, 50 backstroke, and 100 backstroke and also set a new national LC record in the 100 backstroke. 

Noelani made it into the B finals for 50 backstroke and Andrew had some good personal best time swims.

Vila said this was a great opportunity for the swimmers to test themselves against the best, including swimmers from New Zealand and Australia.

"A good majority of the competitors reside overseas and train in top facilities and with great resources, so to see our swimmers hold their own, this is a huge accomplishment," she said.

Meanwhile, Finau has been selected to represent Tonga at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina in October this year. 

All three swimmers will train for their next competition in Fiji in September as a part of their preparation to the 2019 Pacific Games in Samoa.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs supported the team by paying for their airfares to PNG.