‘Perfect medal storm for NMI swim team’

The CNMI National Swimming Team probably had to pay an exorbitant amount for excess baggage upon its return to the CNMI what with the over 70 total medals they won in the 2024 Micronesian Games in the Kwajalein Pool of Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.

In all the aquatic argonauts won a total of 78 medals including an outstanding 49 gold medals, 15 silver, and 14 bronze.

Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation official Richard Sikkel said hard work and conditions leading up to the quadrennial event all but guaranteed the CNMI’s domination in the pool and the ocean (the open water swim on the last day).

“The circumstances at the Micronesian Games in Kwaj made for a perfect medal storm for the NMI swim team. With some of our stronger swimmers attending one last meet before heading off to college. One of the other powerhouses in Micronesia swimming, Guam, was absent and a few other nation’s top swimmers skipped the Games in preparation for the Olympics, the NMI turned out to be the team to beat. All our NMI swimmers turned in great performances, made finals and raked in medal after medal. It is our hope that we have made a good case to support NMI swimming with the construction of a pool,” he said.

Sikkel also thanked the people that made their weeklong stay in the far-flung military outpost as pleasant and memorable as it could be.

“The U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll and the Kwajalein community really came together and put on a world class event. As a community they supported and chaperoned our athletes, volunteered as officials, and made our stay memorable. The NMI swim team is super thankful and thoroughly enjoyed the island and the people of Kwajalein.”

NMI national swimming coach Hiroyuki Kimura, meanwhile, one by one applauded the performances Maria Batallones, Frances Raho, Justin Ma, Isaiah Aleksenko, Kean Pajarillaga, Kouki Watanabe, Richard Zhao, Shoko Litulumar, Sari Barman, Maria Guerrero, Nagi Tenorio, and Michael Miller in Kwajalein.

Kimura said Batallones, for one, showed tremendous fighting spirit in winning 21 total medals—18 gold and three silver.

“Maria is the breaststroker but she needed to swim butterfly, individual medley, short sprint, long distance, relays, and open water race. As the NMI girls’ top swimmer, she had to swim many events. The prelims had a lot of heats, so she got a plenty of rest time, but the finals had her swimming back-to-back. Moreover, she competed against top swimmers from other countries. I’m sure it must be so hard for her. However, she never gave up and fought until the end. At the final medal ceremony, we could almost feel the dignity on her. Swimmers from other countries who competed against her kept asking me, ‘Why isn’t Maria tired?’ Because ahead of their gaze, Maria, who had competed with just a few minutes ago, was racing again,” he said.

Kimura also gave high praise to Raho, who hauled in 13 gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.

“Her backstroke has greatly improved. We also saw her fighting spirit was very high. I hope she would lead the NMI girls swim team from now,” he said.

Ma also caught the coach’s eye after taking home six total medals—one gold and five bronzes.

“His result much exceeded my expectations. First time in an international meet and first time in the national swim team. I respect him for overcoming the big pressure well.”

The national coach also said the Micro Games also served as a great testbed for Aleksenko and Pajarillaga as both begin their swimming careers in college.

“I believe this the Micro Games was extremely valuable for these young swimmers, who will be swimming at the college stage in the U.S. starting this summer. This is because unless it’s a fairly large swim meet, most meets are held in the 25-yard pool. It’s a very good experience for them. When it comes to the Micro Games racing, it is true that without them, we would not have been able to win all the relay events,” he said.

Aleksenko, who is bound for Keiser University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, won a total of 19 gold medals, while Pajarillaga, who will continue his education at Macalester College, brought home 17 gold and one silver.

Kimura, meanwhile, said the future bodes well for Watanabe who won the breaststroke triple crown in the Micro Games enroute to medaling nine gold, three silver, and a bronze.

“This time it’s a yard pool, so there’s no NMI record, but he really wants to join the meter pool race and set an NMI record as soon as possible.”

While acknowledging that Zhao is still a work in progress, Kimura gave him great marks for doing his best in the Micro Games.

“Richard’s No. 1 style is breaststroke. It was admirable to have made it to the finals in all three breaststroke events—50-, 100-, and 200-yard events in spite it being his first ever swim meet! I was really moved by him winning the individual medal at the very end (ocean swim)!”

Kimura said like Batallones, Litulumar was also one of the main girls swimmers for the NMI in the 2024 Micro Games.

“She had to swim various events though Shoko is backstroker. Not only backstroke but also breaststroke, butterfly, IM, short sprint, middle distance, relay, and ocean swim she swam. It became such a tough meet for her. However, despite the headwinds, she won many medals splendidly,” he said.

Litulumar accumulated a total of eight gold medals and a silver.

In Barman and Guerrero, Kimura sees the future of NMI swimming.

“At the age of 13, Barman already participated in her first international meet and became a member of the national team for the first time, but winning multiple medals was impressive. The highlight was the bronze medal in the 5K ocean swim! It’s amazing,” Kimura said of Barman, who won two golds and three bronze medals.

“Maria is the youngest swimmer in this team. On June 3, Maria was just 12 years old. But that youngest girl won the medal of two individual events. Completely hats off to her,” he said of Guerrero who got four golds and three bronzes in total including relays.

For Miller, who won four gold medals in relay, and Tenorio, Kimura said the two hold a lot of promise in future international events.

“Although neither of them unfortunately could not win individual medals, they both came so close. I hope that this experience will encourage them to improve in the future. Michael swam fast as a relay member and helped the NMI team to win multiple gold medals. Nagi was very friendly with swimmers from other countries and helped create a good atmosphere between the NMI team and the other countries’ teams. I really hope she brushes up her breaststroke skills and do her best at the next meet.”

Kimura also took the opportunity to thank everyone who contributed to the team’s success in the 10th edition of the Micro Games.

“The NMI swim team’s historic victory this Micro Games was not just the result of the swim team. This was also possible through the efforts, understanding, and cooperation of many people. The local people supported the NMI swim team during our long layover. Training pool for the NMI team in Guam was made possible by coach Don Augustin of the Guam National Swimming Team with full transportation provided by Ed Rivera.”

In Pohnpei, he gave kudos to the American Red Cross chapter there led by Morehna Santos and Morgan David, Speaker T.H. Marvin T. Yamaguchi, Mayor Emerson Eperiam, and the Pohnpei Swim Team’s MaryAnn Eperiam and Rick Kihleng.

He also gave thanks to NMI swim coach David Roberto Jr. and NMI swim team manager Yuko Kimura, all sponsors of Team Marianas, Northern Mariana Islands Swimming Federation, coaches Christian Villacrusis and Kensuke Kimura for providing good training to NMI swimmers, Pacific Islands Club Saipan (25-yard pool there), Aqua Resort Club (deep pool for diving training), and the Tan family.

He also included U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Commander Col. Andrew Morgan, coach Amy LaCost of the RMI Swim Federation, their chaperon in Kwajalein Karen Read, Jim and Jennifer Cossey, and official photographer MichaeLove Diaz.

He said Morgan even visited an NMI swimmer at the hospital when the swimmer became ill. “At that time, commander came to visit us in person! It’s amazing!”

Kimura said the NMI National Swimming Team’s success in Kwajalein came despite local swimmers being bereft of an official pool to train in since the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool was shuttered down.

“This Micro Games’ medal rush showed us having good training in the no-pool island of Saipan. All NMI swimmers in this Micro Game are still practicing on Saipan. The oldest just graduated from high school this summer. Since 2018, the NMI does not have an official swimming pool (Palau, Pohnpei, Marshall Islands, and Guam all have one). NMI swimmers have spent the past six years, the most important years of their lives as athletes, practicing on this island without a pool. It’s not just one or two years!”

He said it’s what makes the NMI swim team’s complete success in the Micro Games even more impressive. Now, imagine if the swimmers were able to train in an official pool.

“We can practice in any pool or anywhere with some creativity. However, the problem is that swim meets cannot be held here. Having a swim meet is what keeps swimmers motivated. All sports except swimming hold frequent competitions on this island. Young people are creatures that want to compete. Athletes improve by competing. Please give more praise to the NMI swimmers who continued swimming without giving up for six years in an environment where this was not possible. That’s all I want to say.”