Fifteen-year-old homeschool swimmer Thaddeus Albert Kwong achieved a remarkable feat at the Fiji Primary and Secondary Schools National Swimming Championships held recently, as he broke three records just days after recovering from an illness. Kwong secured victories in the boys 16-year-old division, clocking 1 minute 3.24 seconds in the 100-meter Backstroke and 28.99 seconds in the 50-meter Backstroke, surpassing the previous record of 29.73 seconds set by Samuela Yalimaiwai in 2019. He also claimed a record in the 50-meter Butterfly with a finish time of 27.23 seconds, breaking a decade-old record held by Viliame Takayawa.
Kwong expressed his surprise at his performance, admitting that his preparation had been less than ideal due to illness. “Preparation coming into the competition was not really good,” he noted, adding that he only managed to train in the week leading up to the event. Despite the challenges, he focused on refining his technique.
His journey in swimming began at the age of five, but it wasn’t until he turned ten that he became more serious about the sport, encouraged by his mother’s enthusiasm for nurturing their swimming skills. Alongside Thaddeus, his sisters Theola and Charis are also set to represent Fiji at the upcoming Pacific Mini Games in Palau, which will be their first international competition. This family dynamic suggests a supportive environment that fosters athletic talent within the Kwong household.
Thaddeus acknowledged that balancing schoolwork and training can be tough. “I find schoolwork hard,” he admitted, emphasizing the need to manage both academic and athletic commitments. His mother’s motivational words continue to resonate with him: “She always tells me to train hard and train like you are racing.”
The Pacific Mini Games, which will take place from June 29 to July 9, represents another exciting opportunity for the Kwong siblings to showcase their talents on an international platform. As they prepare, their journey reflects a growing trend among young athletes in Fiji, who are increasingly achieving excellence in national and international competitions.
This story serves as an inspiration, highlighting how determination and family support can lead to significant success, reinforcing a hopeful vision for the future of Fiji’s swimming community.
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