Rezne cherishes NMASA Athlete of the Year award
Had Rezne Wong been present at the 2008 NMASA Annual Awards Banquet and was given a chance to thank those who helped him become the CNMI’s top swimmer and eventually win the 2008 NMASA Male Athlete of the Year award, he would have had a long list.
“First of all, I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to swim everyday, for the strength to have gone this far, and for the love He has shown me in and out of the pool,” Wong said.
The Tsunami Swimming Center Saipan swimmer also thanked Saipan Swim Club founder Bill Sakovich, who pushed him to plunge into the pool, 11 years ago.
“I was seven when Mr. Sakovich encouraged me or more likely ‘threatened’ me to swim for Saipan Swim Club. He never stopped supporting and encouraging me. I will always thank him for believing in me,” Wong said.
“I also want to thank NMASA for choosing me as the 2008 Male Athlete of the Year. I appreciate their support for athletic excellence among CNMI athletes. I am very honored to receive this award. I would also like to apologize for not making it to the awards night. I really wanted to be there, but we had to get to Japan at least one day before the tournament to get rest,” added Wong, who made record-breaking performance in on- and off-island competitions last year and was a five-time NMASA Athlete of the Month winner.
The Marianas High School student, along with Tsunami Saipan coach Hiro Kimura and teammate Shin Kimura, left Saipan on Feb. 19, the same day NMASA held its annual awards ceremony. Wong competed in the 50th Japan Swimming Championships, which featured Olympic and world championships swimmers.
“I would also like to thank my parents [Ely and Millet Wong] for the dedicated time, energy, money, and overall support they give me everyday as a son and as a swimmer,” said Wong, adding that an incident in 2006 involving a family member taught him to always have hope in everything.
“The event that occurred on Feb. 8, 2006, when my father suffered from a sudden cardiopulmonary arrest still lives within my heart and memory. I am very thankful that God gave my father back to us, and I carry that hope not only in the pool, but everywhere I go,” Wong said.
He also included in the thank you list his former and current coaches and teammates.
“I would like to thank coach Mike [Stewart] for taking the baton for CNMI Swimming when coach Bill left and the Saipan Swim Club for being my family through all those years,” Wong said.
Wong’s stint with SSC ended August 2007 after he competed in the FINA World Championships in Melbourne, as he became one of the first swimmers who joined Tsunami Saipan.
“After the World Championships, I never knew if I would ever make it to the top, seeing all those top caliber swimmers so much ahead of me. After a few months of training in Tsunami Saipan, my times started dropping again. I felt better, faster, stronger, and more confident in the pool. Tsunami Saipan revived my dreams so I am thankful to coach Hiro Kimura,” Wong said.
“He has made such a big difference in my life, and I cannot express how thankful I am to have a coach like him. He has pushed me, influenced me, inspired me, and coached me to a level that I never expected to reach. I would also like to thank the Tsunami Saipan family for their friendship and encouragement. Lastly, I would like to thank my brother and my friends at school, church, the swim team, and all those who supported me not only in 2008, but throughout my childhood,” the 18-year-old swimmer added.
Since Wong will be graduating this year and will be leaving the island to continue his studies, he has a piece of advice for swimmers he will be leaving behind.
“To those aspiring swimmers, live your dreams. It doesn’t matter who’s the fastest or not. What matters is your heart. Give everything you have not only in practice, but throughout life’s challenges,” Wong said.