Fiji’s swim program delivered a breakthrough performance at the 14th Oceania Swimming Championships in Suva, walking away with 11 gold and six bronze medals — one more gold than the team’s pre-tournament target of 10. Team Fiji manager Sharon Smith said the haul of 17 medals, two new Oceania records and the country’s first-ever Oceania open-water medal signalled clear progress as coaches now pivot toward finalising selections for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Smith, a former national representative and Fiji Aquatics performance coach, described the result as “beyond expectations” after months of preparation. “If you had asked me a few years ago, I wouldn’t have thought we’d be in the top three,” she said, noting Fiji finished overall behind Australia, which topped the table with 14 golds. The Fijian squad of 23 swimmers, supported by five coaches from different clubs, produced numerous personal bests across the meet, Smith added.
A milestone came in the open-water 4 x 1.5km mixed relay, where Team Fiji took bronze — the country’s first medal in an Oceania open-water event. Fiji also recorded two Oceania records during the championships, one of which was set by Samuel Yalimaiwai, who broke the mark in the men’s 50m breaststroke. Other standouts included David “Tolu” Young, Anahira McCutcheon and rising talent Grace Khelan, who only recently turned 14.
Smith highlighted development pathways that have supported athletes’ rapid improvement, pointing to post-COVID rebuilding efforts and overseas opportunities. Young is benefiting from a scholarship programme in the United States that combines schooling and intensive training, while Kelera Mudunasoko has relocated to Australia to further her development as a specialist breaststroker. Smith said Mudunasoko’s move would take time to yield results but expected her to become “another household name” for Fiji swimming.
With the Commonwealth Games in July, selection for Team Fiji is due to be finalised within the week, Smith confirmed. Coaches are assessing qualifying criteria and nominee performances from Suva, with hopes that several medal-winning swimmers will make the Glasgow squad. Smith said the championships provided a useful gauge of where Fiji can compete strongly and where further focus is needed.
Chief among the priorities is improving depth in distance events and certain strokes. Fiji identified weaknesses in the 200m to 1500m freestyle range and had no entrants in the 200m breaststroke, leaving gaps on the start lists and consigning some finalists to outer lanes after slower heat times. “We’ll have to get swimmers and coaches to specialise more in these events,” Smith said, adding that targeted development will be necessary to close the gap on Pacific rivals such as Tahiti and to support long-term Olympic aspirations.
Retention of athletes beyond their early 20s was another concern raised. Smith noted several key swimmers are over 21 and stressed the need to keep them in the sport to maintain momentum. With a mix of experienced performers and emerging youngsters like Khelan, Fiji’s swimming leadership hopes the Suva results will translate into stronger regional and global showings over the next Olympic cycle.