Cook Islands swimmer Jacob Story represented the country with pride and determination at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest over the weekend.

In his final race of the competition over the weekend, Story showcased both skill and resilience, finishing strong while setting a new national record and personal best in the process.

As the youngest swimmer in his heat, Story embraced the opportunity to compete on such a prestigious stage.

“It felt like how I normally swim, so that was good,” he remarked, reflecting on the familiarity of the competition even in the face of international pressure. With a strong mental focus, Story prepared himself for the race with a positive attitude, stating, “Mentally, I think I was ready; physically, I was ready too.”

His confidence was rooted in diligent training and preparation, which he credited as vital for his success.

“I just keep reminding myself that I put a lot into my training, did good preparation, so just mentally keep believing in myself and telling myself that I was ready for this,” Story shared, highlighting the importance of self-belief in the face of immense pressure.

Taking to the water with conviction, Story achieved impressive split times throughout his race: his first 25 metres clocked in at 13.98 seconds, and he reached the 100m halfway point in 1:04.88 minutes.

Completing his 200m breaststroke heat in a remarkable time of 2:14.33, reflecting his dedication and skill as he concluded his championship experience in Budapest.

Following his swim, Story’s reaction was one of pride and accomplishment. “I’m pretty proud of myself stepping up onto that stage and giving it my best. I know that I put 100% into it, and I couldn’t have done any better,” he expressed, underscoring not only the physical achievements but also the emotional journey of competing at such a high level.

As he prepares to return home, looking forward to his Christmas break, Story is committed to continuing his journey in the sport, bringing his experience and newfound confidence with him.

Connolly conquers

Fellow swimmer Lanihei Connolly was ready to make a splash as she approached the pool for the last time at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest.

With determination and focus, Connolly aimed to achieve her goal, stating confidently, “It was good, I was happy with the time. I wanted to go 30 point, and I did.”

With pride shining through, she completed the 50-metre breaststroke, achieving a personal best - her second of the competition and a testament to her hard work and dedication.

True to the spirit of an athlete, Connolly reflected on her performance and the potential for improvement.

“I feel like I could have executed a few things better, but there’s always something to work on, so I’m happy,” she noted, showcasing her desire for continuous growth in her swimming career.

Entering the pool with a commendable reaction time of 0.68 seconds, Connolly demonstrated her competitive edge against others in the water. She maintained a steady pace through her two lengths, achieving split times of 14.25 for the first 25 metres and 16.71 for the second.

With a final time of 30.96 seconds, she met her personal goal with unwavering resolve, spurred on by the strong competition in her heat. “I always race the girls next to me, and it was a good way to end the meet.”

Reflecting on her experience at this prestigious international meet, Connolly emphasised the unity and camaraderie among the Pacific islands as they came together on this world stage.

One of her favourite memories from the competition revolved around time spent with fellow athletes from the Pacific islands.

“Spending time with everyone from Oceania, I think we had a very fun warm-up area - Samoa’s always playing music, so always good vibes, always good times.”

Having secured two personal bests throughout the championship, Connolly is now looking forward to enjoying her downtime in Budapest.

With plans to explore the vibrant city and indulge in the local treats, she is set to celebrate her achievements while soaking up the rich culture and history of her surroundings.

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