By Eleanor Gee

Four swimmers and a triathlete will be representing Tonga in multiple events at the Pacific Games next month in Samoa.

Local swimmers, Noelani Day, Finau Ohuafi (currently on a FINA scholarship in Thailand), Alexander Sugar, New Zealand based Hinemoa Fonua, and local triathlete Andrew Emberson Lapuka, have had a full training schedule ahead of the games.

The four swimmers will compete in pool events, with Noelani and Finau competing in extra events. Noelani will also compete in the 5km open water event and the aquathlon, and Finau will compete in the aquathlon.

Meanwhile, Andrew will compete in the triathlon and aquathlon events.

Earlier this week, Noelani and Andrew joined other athletes in a fitness, and strength and conditioning program at Teufaiva Stadium. The program, organized by the Tonga Sports Council, is part of their preparations for the games.

Noelani, Andrew, and Alexander also train at the Masefield Navy Base at Touliki in the afternoons with local swimmers from the Hakula Swim Club.

They are currently being instructed by a high-performance swim coach from China, He Tinglab.

He said the swimmers are doing very well without a swimming pool, but if they trained in a swimming pool, they would improve quickly.

Team Manager, Vila Day said although the local swimmers have trained without a swimming pool, “it has taken a lot of grit, determination and persistence over the years”.

The swim team will leave Tonga on 1 July for a swim camp in Nadi, Fiji, for six days, to practice in a real pool and to bond as a team before flying to Samoa on 7 July.

However, competition will continue after the games for two athletes. Vila said Noelani and Finau have been selected for the FINA World Championships in Korea on July 21 - 28 and will travel immediately the day after their Aquathlon to compete against the top swimmers in the world.

Team events: