The Cook Islands swim team is making waves at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar.

The team comprising of four swimmers have swum their way into three national records and two personal best (PBs) records at the annual event.

A record number of 2317 swimmers from 190 countries, including Cook Islands’ Lanihei Connolly, Mia Laban, Wesley Roberts “Atiu Rocket” and Jacob Story, are competing at the World Aquatics Championship from February 2 to 18.

Cook Islands swimmers at the 2024 World Aquatics Championship, in Doha, Qatar. From left: Mia Laban, Jacob Story and Lanihei Connolly. SUPPLIED/24021406

Cook Islands swimming coach Kieren Chan, who has accompanied the team to Doha, said that the team was doing very well.

“Our four swimmers have all swum their first events and are now preparing for their second events as well as preparing for a 4x100m Medley Relay,” Chan said on Monday.

Their outstanding swims have resulted in three new Cook Islands records: Women’s 100m Butterfly (Laban), Women’s 100m Breaststroke (Connolly), and Men’s 100m Breaststroke (Story).

The swimmers are scheduled to compete in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke (Story), Women’s 50m Fly (Laban), and Women’s 50m Breaststroke (Connolly).

“We look forward to more great swimming to come and we cherish this great opportunity to proudly represent the Cook Islands on the world stage of swimming,” said Chan.

Story and Laban are representing the Cook Islands for the first time.

In his first ever major meet, Story clocked 1:04.32 minutes in the 110 metres breaststroke setting a new Cook Islands record.

Story’s parents are Glen Alistair Story and Christine Story (nee Edge). He is a grandson of Cook Islands musician Henry Story and his grandmother is from the Andrew/Henderson family.

Last year, Story swam for New Zealand at the 2023 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Championships in December.

Laban, a star swimmer from Pōhutukawa Whānau, saw her talent and dedication rewarded with the amazing opportunity to represent the Cook Islands at this event, where she set a new record in the Women’s 100m Butterfly.

Results

Results from the World Aquatic Championships in Doha are: Jacob Story 100 metre breaststroke – time 1:04.32, rank 53 - Did not advance; Wesley Roberts 100 metre freestyle – time 49.41, rank 30 – Did not advance; Wesley Roberts 200 metre freestyle – time 1:49.78, rank = 35 - Did not advance; Lanihei Connolly 100 metre breaststroke – time 1:10.87, rank 34 - Did not advance; Mia Laban 100 metre butterfly – time 1:07.35, rank 39 - Did not advance.