Palau’s young swimmers, Charlie Gibbons and Kazuumi Nestor, have returned home from their international competition at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Budapest, Hungary, brimming with accomplishments and lessons that will fuel their future aspirations.
The championship saw both swimmers deliver stellar performances, with Gibbons achieving two personal bests and Nestor setting two national records. Their participation marked a significant milestone for Palau’s swimming program, which continues to develop young talent on the global stage.
Fifteen-year-old Kazuumi Nestor emerged as a standout performer, breaking national records in both the 100-meter Individual Medley and the 50-meter Freestyle. His performance in the medley was particularly historic, as he became the first Palauan swimmer to complete the event in under a minute, clocking in at 59.75 seconds.
Reflecting on his experience, Nestor shared, “Budapest was nice. The pool was way better than here. I’m happy with my results—I shaved four seconds off one event and a second off another. But I know I can improve, especially with my turns and dives.”
As he prepares for the Pacific Mini Games next year, Nestor is aiming for medals in both individual events and relays, saying, “I’ll train as hard as I can with Coach Jimmy to make Palau proud.”
Fourteen-year-old Charlie Gibbons also had a memorable debut, smashing his personal record in the 100-meter Butterfly, dropping his time by nearly four seconds to an impressive 1:01.95—just half a second shy of a national record.
“The big crowd made me nervous, but it was a special experience to swim alongside Olympians and professionals,” Gibbons said. “It showed me there’s so much more I can achieve. If I strengthen my weaknesses, I know I’ll do great at the Pacific Mini Games.”
Coach Jimmy Jonas, who guided the young swimmers through the competition, expressed his pride in their achievements. “This was a short course event, which suited us well because we train in a short course pool. Kazuumi broke two national records, and Charlie had two personal bests—it’s a fantastic result for their first international meet,” Jonas said.
The experience in Budapest, Jonas explained, is part of a broader strategy to prepare the swimmers for the Pacific Mini Games and beyond. “They’re only 14 and 15 years old, and already this fast. I’m excited to see where they’ll be when they hit their prime years.”
The achievements in Budapest were made possible by the collective support of families and the Palau Aquatics Federation. “We couldn’t have done it without the parents and the Federation’s backing,” Jonas emphasized.
Nestor’s mother expressed her pride in her son’s achievements, saying, “It was his first time at a championship, and he came back with two national records. I couldn’t be prouder.”
As the swimmers set their sights on the Pacific Mini Games, they carry with them not only their records and personal bests but also the lessons learned from competing on the world stage. The Palau Swimming Federation celebrated their success on social media, describing their performances as “an amazing first World Championships.”
Both swimmers are determined to build on their experience, with Gibbons stating, “I just need to work on myself,” and Nestor vowing to “train as hard as I can.”
With talent, determination, and strong community support, Palau’s swimmers are poised to make even bigger waves in the years to come. (By: Samantha Iyar)