Ofa Lagonilakeba, 13, broke the five-year 50m record set by Sylvia Nasario af­ter she stopped the clock at 35.40 seconds to win Natabua High School a gold medal yesterday.

Lagonilakeba said, she was ac­tually aiming to better her time and it came as a surprise to her after she was told that she broke the record.

Lagonilakeba added watching Michael Phelps motivational vid­eos on YouTube were something that kept her going.

“I was actually recovering from a sickness and I didn’t think I would be fit enough to come and swim,” Lagonilakeba said.

“I was told by my coach to keep warm and I kept training. One thing that motivated me was watching the Michael Phelps mo­tivational videos on YouTube.

“Phelps never misses training and he does 365 per year, both morning and afternoon training and I tried to do the same.

“My personal best is 36secs but I was surprised when they told me it was 35.40secs.”

Lagonilakeba said her father has always advised her to do the right thing and train hard.

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

Feedback: karalaini.tavi@fijisun.com.fj