Pini in single event

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The National, Thursday July 19th, 2012

By FRANKLIN KOLMA
PAPUA New Guinea’s lone male swimmer in the Olympics Ryan Pini has dropped the 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle and will swim only his favourite event, the 100m butterfly.
The champion will not be taking part in the freestyle or backstroke for the main reason that there is an overload of Olympic swimmers who have qualified for the respective events.
PNG Swimming Incorporated president Liz Wells said it would allow Pini  focus all his energy on one event.
“This is for the best as it will give Ryan a chance to really give his best at what he is best at.”
“Pini is also looking forward to swimming his pet event and is actually relieved as now he can concentrate on honing and preparing his body solely for the 100m Butterfly.
“Swimming different strokes such as freestyle and backstroke use different muscles and tend to wear down the body,” Wells said
Pini explained that stamina, endurance and even muscle usage capability is slightly lowered for a multi-stroke swimmer.
“The 100m butterfly is my favourite stroke and I’m all the more confident,” Pini said. The Commonwealth Games (2006) and Pacific Games (2011) champion has previously had surgery on both shoulders but has remained competitive at regional and world events.