Fiji’s swimming star, David Young, has made waves by qualifying for the upcoming World Aquatics Championships in Singapore this August, following a record-setting performance at the TYR Fort Lauderdale Pro Series. Known locally as “Tolu,” Young, a standout from the Dolphin Swim Club, showcased his talent by breaking three Fiji Open Records across various events.
The highlight of Young’s achievements came in the 100m freestyle where he eclipsed the long-standing national record set by Carl Probert, a five-time Olympian, at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Young initially clocked a swift 50.17 seconds during the morning heats and then astonished fans by shaving his time down to 49.98 seconds in the finals, making him the first Fijian swimmer to swim under the 50-second mark.
Furthermore, he excelled in the 50m butterfly, recording a time of 24.31 seconds in the heats, which landed him a new national record, surpassing his previous mark of 24.47 seconds from the Commonwealth Youth Games. In the B finals of the same event, he further improved his performance with an impressive 23.96 seconds, securing a 7th place finish.
Adding to his accolades, Young also set a new national record in the 50m freestyle, finishing the heats in 22.29 seconds, surpassing his own previous record of 22.71 seconds, which he set at the previous year’s Olympics. He completed this event with a commendable 4th place finish in the B finals.
With these remarkable achievements under his belt, Young heads to the World Aquatics Championships with three B qualifying times, representing a significant milestone in his swimming career. This momentum not only amplifies his prospects but also shines a spotlight on Fiji’s growing reputation in the swimming world.
The continued success of young athletes like David Young serves as an inspiration for future generations in Fiji, promoting a culture of achievement and dedication in sports. As he prepares for the competitive events ahead, the swimming community and fans are hopeful for more records to come, reinforcing Fiji’s emergence on the global stage.
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