Kalate shines at swimming titles

Three records were set at the Theodist National Championships over the weekend by Team PNG’s Commonwealth Games swimmers.
Team PNG’s Leonard Kalate swam two 17-year-age records in his preferred breaststroke – the 50 breaststroke (31.14s) previously held by Ryan Maskelyne (31.34s set in 2016) and the 100m breaststroke (1:08.60) previously held by Ashley Seeto (1:12.41 set in 2005).
Joining Kalate at the event were other Team PNG swimmers, including Sam Seghers, Ashley Seeto and Ryan Maskelyne.
The championships, an annual prestigious event on the Papua New Guinean swimming calendar, provided a competition platform for the country’ 65 swimmers representing the Lae Swim Club, Boroko Swim Club and PNG Masters Club.
Ahead of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Kalate, Joshua Tarere, Seghers, Seeto and Maskelyne, and other talented swimmers showcased their determination and competitiveness.
Many of the swimmers enjoyed the experience, reaching the goals they had set for themselves.
As swimmers raced towards swimming personal best times, with the hope of capturing a PNG record in the process, they also competed for a place on BSP Kundu National Aquatic Excellence squads, a pathway for development and growth.
Kalate’s teammate, Tarere, swam a fast 50m freestyle clocking 24.93, taking Andrew Vele’s 17-year age record of 25.61s set in 1991.
Seven individual PNG masters records were also swum.
In the 30-34 age group, Seeto took the 50m Breaststroke record 30.81s, previously held by Adrian Morey 39.32s set in 1996, and the 100m breaststroke 1:09.16 previously held by Tony Sari 1:37.25 set in 2005. In the 200m freestyle, Eamon Murphy clocked 2:50.15 and Alice Macphillamy equalled the record time of 3:00.66 set by Tamara Green in 2017.
In the 35-39 age group, Ryan Pini swam into the record books in the 50m butterfly 24.47s, toppling Shannon Liew’s record of 28.50s set in 2016. Pini also swam the 50m backstroke (29.87s), taking out Ben Cullen’s record of 36.52 set in 1995.
Two new PNG Masters relay records – the 4 x 50 freestyle relay 1:47.77 with Ashley Seeto, Kevin Debruyn, Shannon Liew and Ryan Pini, and the 4 x 50 medley relay 1:18.39 with Ryan Pini, Ashley Seeto, Shannon Liew and Josh Wheeler – were also set.
Embracing the excitement and delight of competing at this level, the championship saw 13 swimmers at the completion of the event being added to the BSP National Aquatic Excellence Squads.
Intermediate Silver: Jasmine Davis, Igo Vagi, Georgina Raka, Jade-Faith Paul, Darius Tarere and Clement Von Boguslawski. They join Norman Akunaii, Kiara Vali, and MacCohhen Waifaf. Intermediate Gold: Rehema Kalate and Nathan Knight. They join Agnes Leana, Noka Peter Noka and Luke Vava. Kundu Target Bronze: Keven John and Barbara Vali-Skelton. They Join Elijah Akunaii, Felix Devlin, Ian Egora, Jethro Kupe, Tanguy Langelet, Tiko Lohia, Moses Lorani, Britney Murray, Valilua Nopiri, Gairo Puana, Vincent Tubuyavulina, Catherine Vali and Matthew Vali. Kundu Target Silver: James Runnegar and Georgia-Leigh Vele. They join Holly John and Derek Oates.
The competition was coordinated under the direction of Fina referee Susan Babao, PNG referee Sarenah Pini and Fina starter Albert Vigil.
This provided a professional, fair competition for our swimmers and an opportunity for all our technical officials to prepare well for the 12th Oceania Swimming Championships to be held in Port Moresby on June 25-30.