Fiji’s Tolu Young balances elite swimming with a business technology degree at ASU, aiming for data analytics after sport
Fiji swimmer Tolu Young is proving that success in sport doesn’t have to come at the expense of education. At 20 years old, he is pursuing a Business Technology degree at Arizona State University while maintaining a demanding training and competition schedule that takes him around the world.
Balancing rigorous training with classes and travel has become a daily discipline for Young. He says the key is time management and staying focused, the same drive that has fueled his progress in the pool. His journey began in local waters and as a child’s training session, but he never imagined it would lead to representing Fiji on the world stage.
Every competition, whether at home or abroad, has been a stepping stone in a career built on persistence and passion. “I know I have to prepare for work after swimming. I’m schooling currently in Arizona State University studying a Business Technology degree and I hope to pursue data analytics, possibly after college and after swimming definitely,” he said.
Family support has been a constant source of encouragement, recognizing the dedication and sacrifices required to reach this level while studying as well. Their backing has played a vital role in his development as both athlete and person.
This morning, Young and his older sister Nylla left Fiji for the United States, where he will continue his studies and training with ASU. The move follows a season in which he has shown strong form and pace in sprint events, with time improvements and national marks that have helped raise Fiji’s profile on the global stage. The collegiate route at ASU provides high‑intensity race practice, structured training, and recovery resources that Young believes will translate into faster times when he returns to long‑course competition and pushes toward regional qualifiers and the Commonwealth Championships pathway in the months ahead.
Looking ahead, Young is focused on refining his starts and turns, building strength, and balancing coursework with a heavy training load. He credits the support of Fiji Aquatics and ASU’s program for helping him maintain progress and stay motivated as he pursues both athletic and academic goals.
Summary: Tolu Young is balancing elite-level swimming with a university degree in the United States, using ASU’s program to sharpen sprinting skills while pursuing a post-college career in data analytics. His family’s support and his own discipline are central to his ongoing journey toward Fiji’s major championships.
Na iVakaraitaki ena Vosa na Viti (Fijian translation)
Subheading: Balancing Qito kei na Vuli
Na iVakamacala ni Vuli kei na Qito: Tolu Young, 20 na yabaki, e vakaitavi kina na vuli vakaitamera kei na qito ni ra nia na qito ni wai ena iki ki na ASU (Arizona State University) me baleta na Business Technology. E kaya ni na tiko tiko gurau na vuli kei na veika vakatitaki ni qito, ka sa mai vakavinakataki kina na nona tatadra e na iyaloyalo ni qito. Na nona itavi ni matua kei na nona matavuvale e tukuna ni veivakadonui na vuli kei na qito e dua na ka bibi me balansi, ka sega ni dua na sala ni veivosoti ni rairai era sotavi kina.
E tukuna ni tekivu mai na wai ni vanua na nona vuli kei na nona qaqana, ia sa qai tukuna ni na biu mai na nona cakacaka me vaka e dua na nona maroroi ni vakavuvale ena vuli kei na qito e vuravura. E tukuna talega: “Au sa kila ni dodonu meu vakatovolei na cakacaka niu qaravi ena muri ni qito; au tiko ena ASU me rawati koya na Business Technology, ka’u waqa vakadodonu me vakatulewa na data analytics ina gauna ni oti nai uni kei na qito.” E kaya talega ni sa levu na nomuni vuvale era veivakararawataki ena nomuni tubu me dua na dau qito kei na dua tale na marama.
Na veitubarawaki: na itaukei nivale kei na itaukei ni soqo e tiko vata kei na vanua ni veiqaravi e veivakadonui me balanse kina na nona vuli kei na qito. Na veivuke mai na Fiji Aquatics kei na programa ni ASU era dau vakaraitaka vei Tolu na kena bula vata kei na qito, ka vakaraitaka na kena rawa ni taura na rai kina na veika vovou. Ena vica na siga mai oqo, na noqu tukuna ni sa vakarautaki vakavinaka na nona vuli kei na nona vakadidike ena vuku ni veika ni veitaqomaki: na nona itubu ni vuli kei na veitoqa vakaitaukei, na veitalanoa kei na kena curu ki na mataqali ni vuli ni a e curu mai cake, kei na nodra vakaraitaki na veika e gadrevi me vakacegu ki na qito ni veiqaravi.
Na sabi ni vanua: Tolu kece ena vakarau me raica na veigauna era tu vei koya ena gauna mai muri, me rawati kina na Oceania Games kei na World Championships, ka a tukuna na nona inaki me curu ki na Commonwealth Championships ena dua na yabaki mai muri. Na nona itavi qaqa e walia tiko vakalevu vei ira na goneqaqa ni Viti, ka vakaraitaka na rawati ni bula ni qito kei na vuli me dua na parekedarai e na noda vuravura.
Notes for editors or added value:
– This piece emphasizes the growing model of student-athletes from Fiji pursuing elite sport in tandem with American collegiate programs, which can offer structured training, competition, and academic outcomes.
– Possible follow-ups: coverage of specific events Young competes in as he progresses through Oceania Games, World Championships, and Commonwealth Championships; profiles of ASU’s support for Fiji athletes; and a focus on data analytics pathways for athletes post-competition.
Note: The English version above is a rewritten, polished piece intended for publication, incorporating related context from recent regional coverage to provide a fuller picture of Young’s journey while preserving factual elements.
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