Swimmers preparation positive for C’wealth Games

THE Commonwealth Games is just around the corner and preparations among PNG swimmers are positive, says PNG Swimming secretary Carly Pini.
January saw some success at the Victorian State Swimming Championships.
Three of the five swimmers endorsed by the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee (PNGOC) for the Commonwealth Games team travelled to Melbourne to be part of the state championships.
The annual event held from the Jan 12–14 at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre saw PNG swimmers going up against some of Australia’s best swimmers in preparation for the Commonwealth Games trials.
“The swimmers swam extremely well in tough Melbourne conditions,” Pini said.
“They were led by the experienced Ashley Seeto who marginally missed swimming the B final of the 50 breaststroke.
“Leonard Kalate recorded personal bests in his 50 breaststroke and 50 freestyle and Josh Tarere also produced two personal bests in his 100 freestyle and 50 butterfly.
“The competition wasa great lead up event for the Commonwealth Games, especially for Tarere making his international debut. Post competition, Kalate and Tarere trained in Brisbane for two weeks with Yeronga Park, coached by the selected coach for the Commonwealth Games Rob Van der Zant.
“Kalate and Tarere have now returned home to Lae and are back into training with the hopes of competing in April on the Gold Coast in the pool events at the Commonwealth Games for Papua New Guinea.
“Seeto resumed training at the Gold Coast and will join Sam Seghers and Ryan Maskelyne in competing at the Australian Commonwealth Games trials at the end of this month.
“The final preparation meet for the five swimmers will be at the Theodist PNG National Championships from March 16 to 18 at the Taurama Indoor and Aquatic Centre in Port Moresby.”