Hefu Erasito, 14, and Tema­fa Yalimaiwai 16, are out to make a mark for Marist Brothers High School in the Na­tional Schools Swimming Cham­pionship.

The two set new records in their individual events at the Damodar Aquatic Centre in Suva yesterday.

Erasito broke the record set by Calum Lobendahn in 2015 in the 400metre freestyle with a time of 4minutes 42 secs.

Yalimaiwai broke the record set by Taichi Vakasama in 2016 in the U16 400m freestyle with a time of 4 minutes 26 secs.

Erasito said it was a special mo­ment for him to break the record and the Rotuman native will be participating in the 200m butter­fly, backstroke and 100m butterfly.

“I’m happy to be in the team with one of our national reps. It has always been my goal to be like Temafa. It was quite an honour for me to break the record and cel­ebrate with him,” Erasito said.

“It has always been my dream since I was five to swim in nation­al competitions and win gold. At first I was nervous but I am really happy with the win.”

Meanwhile, Yalimaiwai was sur­prised to have broken Vakasama’s record and he aims for more na­tional records.

“I was just aiming to win, I did not expect to break the record and for this is a bonus,” the Matuku, Lau native said

“Watching my cousins swim in international competition is what inspired me to take up the sport and I have enjoyed it since. This is just the start and we are hoping to win more gold for our school.”

Yalimaiwai will also be partici­pating in the 100m, 200m back­stroke and 50m breaststroke.

Edited by Osea Bola

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