The Fiji Swimming Federation is sending three to the World Short Course Championships, they announced this week. Douglas Miller, Meli Malani and Matelita Buadromo will represent the country.
Malani is the country’s future hope, and is one of 6 Fiji swimmers who will be on scholarships in the United States. His is a FINA scholarship that is designed to help him qualify for the 2015 World Championships and 2016 Olympics Games; the other 5 swim at NJCAA school Iowa Lakes Community College as part of the Oceania Foundation/ONOC Scholarship program.
Early in 2015, Malani will travel to train at the Spire Institute in Ohio – a FINA partner in the program.
Malani is a versatile swimmer who at the 2014 Commonwealth Games competed in the 50 meter free (23.98), the 100 meter free (54.05), the 50 fly (25.90), the 100 fly (1:00.91), and the 50 breast (29.87).
Miller very-nearly represented Fiji at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, but in a controversial decision had his selection overturned in favor of Paul Elaisa. Miller placed as high as 50th in the 200 meter IM (2:14.27) at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships.
Buadromo was the country’s female representation for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, and at only 17-years olast year was 39th in the 200 free at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships (2:12.31).
Fiji is also sending two swimmers to FINA’s new youth program in Doha. Eugene Kado from the Dolphin Club in Suva and Adi Kinisimere Naivalu from the Finis Race Club, also in Suva, were the countr’s two nominees, and they will be joined by coach Jennifer Liew.
“The program will be a great opportunity for both swimmers. Not only will they get to train with other Youth Swimmers from around the World, they will also get an appreciation of what a Senior International Competition is like,” Vice President Willie Elaisa. “Exposing swimmers to this type of environment is rare and with the World Junior Championships on the horizon this season for both swimmers, the program will be of huge benefit for their long term development” Elaisa said.”
