Rezne humbled by Japan Open invite

Usually, getting a stare from someone is quite disturbing, but for Rezne Wong it was a blessing.

Wong drew the attention of a Japan Swimming Federation official during the 2009 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Guam last month earning the CNMI swimmer an invitation to the 50th Japan Swimming Championships.

“I had no idea that I was going to Japan Open until a few days after I got back from Guam. One moment that still sticks to my mind is when I was cooling down in Lane 1 after a race. I was breathing to the left [I usually breath to my right] and I saw a man wearing the Japanese National Team uniform, standing on the pool deck, looking at me. I just kept on swimming, thinking that he was just looking at me for no apparent reason. Little did I know that he was JSF’s Kiho Abe, who chaired the organizing committee for JPP,” Wong said.

A few days after Wong and four other Tsunami Saipan swimmers returned to Saipan, coach Hiro Kimura informed him of the good news.

“I think he [Kimura] knew that I am going to Japan Open, while we were still in Guam. But he waited until we returned home before informing me. It’s a great honor and blessing to be invited to Japan Open and I thank God for giving me this great chance,” the Marianas High School student said.

The Japan Open is indeed a once-in-a-life time opportunity for a young swimmer like the 17-year-old Wong. The tournament, which will be held at the Tokyo Tatsumi International Swimming Center in Tatsumi, Koto-ku, Tokyo on Feb. 21 and 22, will feature medalists and finalists of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2008 FINA World Championships.

Cash prizes await winners and swimmers who will make records in the two-day meet. The top finisher will receive JPY100,000 (about $1,118), JPY50,000 ($559) for second, and JPY30,000 ($335) for third.

The world record prize is a whopping JPY2,000,000 ($22,375). If a swimmer sets world records more than once in the same event, only one world record prize will be awarded.

Despite having to face top caliber swimmers, Wong is not intimidated, as he is focused on racing against himself.

“I am definitely not at the same level as those who will compete in Japan, but I have been through better and worse,” Wong said.

“ I learn more about swimming in smaller events that are at my level. I cannot learn when faster competitors go out of my sight after 15 seconds of race time. Being nervous is normal, but I have gotten better at ignoring it, and imagining that the crowd isn’t there. I have improved in swimming my own race,” he added.

The Japan Open will take place in 25-meter pool, which will not be a problem for Wong, who is used to competing in 50-meter pool.

“It will not be very difficult to swim in a 25-meter pool. It just takes faster acceleration, tighter turns, better starts, and faster pacing in every lap,” Wong said.

“I am looking forward to have more experience swimming in short course pools. In the NCAA, swimming is done in 25-yard pools, which is very similar to 25-meter pools. I just want to drop my times,” he added.

Wong will be leaving for Japan on Feb. 19.