HANGZHOU, 15 DECEMBER 2018 (MARIANAS VARIETY) – CNMI young swimmers, Nelson Batallones, Jinju Thompson and Suzuki Lennosuke on Tuesday and Wednesday plunged into an incredible experience at the 14th FINA World Swimming Championships 2018 in Hangzhou, China.
Although none of them made to the semis, the NMI delegations to the world stage on swimming were neither at the very bottom in the opening heat results.
Thompson defeated nine swimmers in women’s 100-meter freestyle clocking in at 1:09.05. U.S.’ Mallory Comesford topped the event with a 52.18.
In the 220-meter freestyle, she clocked in at 2:27.89 to beat Guam’s Amanda Joy who had a 2:36.63 in the 200-meter freestyle for women. Australia’s Ariarne Titmus led the event with a 1:51.38.
Suzuki completed the men’s 200-meter freestyle with a 2:06.54 beating Maldives’ Mubbal Azzam Ibrahim who came at 2:09.57.
Suzuki’s next event will be the 100-meter freestyle today.
Batallones beat three competitors including Italy’s Matteo Rivolta in the 100-meter butterfly. The NMI swimmer completed the course in 1:05.15.
His next event was a 50-meter butterfly yesterday.
Although Thompson, Batallones and Suzuki have been competing in the regional swimming events, it is their first time to be in the FINA championships that drew more than 1,200 delegates from over 400 organizations.
