Cook Islands swimmers have done extremely well at the 2024 World Aquatics Championship, in Doha, Qatar, Saudi Arabia having achieved five new Cook Islands records out of seven events, and personal bests.

It brings to an end the Cook Islands swimming campaign in Doha, however, training will continue every day as the swimmers prepare for their next events in the next few months.

On Day 6,  Mia Laban swam in the Women’s 50m Butterfly achieving a new PB of 30.08 beating her seed time by 0.17 sec.

Coach Kieran Chan said, “this is such a great achievement by this young swimmer with so much promise.”

On Day 7, Lani Connolly swam in the Women’s 50m Breaststroke where she too achieved a PB of 32.03 beating her seed time of 32.61 by 0.58seconds, and setting a new Cook Islands record.

Both male swimmers, Wesley Roberts and Jacob Story had completed their races before the women.

Chan said “overall they have had very good swims, multiple PB'S and records, and a wealth of experience across the board.

“We are ever so thankful and grateful for all your support throughout this week and we as Swim Team Cook Islands under the Cook Islands Aquatic Federation are very proud to represent our beautiful nation and home, Cook Islands.”

Chan said the organising committee and World Aquatics have done a great job in hosting the event, “with expectations exceeding that of our two young and new athletes (Story and Laban).

“Considering the level of competition and calibre of athletes competing at this event, our two new swimmers are slotted in very easily.

“Both understanding that each and everyone here is here to achieve the best they can, regardless of medals,” he said.

Chan said the “huge bonus” of the event is that both Roberts and Connolly are both well versed and experienced in international competitions, to help guide, mentor and advise our two new swimmers in their development with competitions and swimming.

“Not to mention that we also have an Amazing Head coach - Horst Miehe who has multiple World Championships, Pacific Games, Oceania games and the likes, under his belt and is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom when it comes to race preparation, planning, execution, race recovery and race evaluation,” said Chan.