Fiji to host Oceania Championship

Fiji will host the Oceania Aquatics Championship from May 8-14 in Suva.

Fiji Aquatics president Lucy Erasito said they are glad that the regional competition is back in the country after 10 years; Fiji last hosted the event in 2016. 

“The Oceania Championship will be our internal qualifier Commonwealth Games qualifier for our swimmers,” Erasito said on Saturday. 

“All the national swimmers in the country and overseas will be present, so it’s going to be a good outing for us.”

Vice president West Errol Taylor added: “It’s a must to compete at Oceania if they want to go to Glasgow.” 

These swimmers include Olympians David Young, Anahira McCutcheon, Samuela Yalimaiwai and Kelera Mudunasoko who is on a scholarship in Australia. 

About 14 countries will be participating includes Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, New Caledonia and Hawai’i. 

Fiji Aquatics held its first event of the year on Saturday; the long course grand prix 1 which is a qualifier for nationals. 

“We have some young swimmers and we are excited to see them. They have not competed before.” 

The one-day competition saw five clubs compete including Great White Sharks from Lautoka while two clubs did not turn-up. 

Fiji Aquatics has a squad of 74 swimmers for the Oceania Championship and will have their first camp in Nadi on February 7 while the grand prix 2 will be held on February 21 in Suva. 

Three grand prix will be hosted before the open national’s championship on April 3-5. 

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Games will be in Glasgow, Scotland from July 23 to August 2.