Samoa's Olivia Borg Photo: RNZ Pacific / Koroi Hawkins
Two new Pacific Games swimming records were set on Thursday at the Aquatic Centre in Honiara as the 2023 Pacific Games rolls towards it first full week of competition.
The day also saw 24 gold medals won and New Caledonia's dominance in the pool being disrupted again, although they continue to advance in their lead at the top of medal tally.
New Caledonia's hold at the top increased overnight with their gold medal haul at 32 and their total haul of medals now standing at 80.
Australia keeps the second spot with 23 gold and Samoa retains third overnight with 18 gold.
A new Pacific Games record of 50.05 seconds was set by Cook Islands' Wesley Roberts in the men's 100m freestyle, breaking the record of 50.44 second, set by Stephane Debaere at the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
Cook Islands swimming record breaker Wesley Roberts with his medal haul. Photo: Team Cook Islands
New record holder Roberts told the Pacific Games News Service it was a moment to savour.
"I saw the record and one of the guys said that I didn't owe him $10 if I broke the record, so that was a bit of extra incentive but, again, everyone showed up tonight, which makes it more that more special and you want to get the job done. Me and my coach put a plan together and it paid off," he said.
"I thought I could go close, my PB (personal best) was underneath the record, but you still have to get it done on the night and I was able to PB so that's the best time I've ever swam for the 100 free, so that's also really special and exciting and I'm just glad I could get it done for the Cook Islands."
The second Games record was from New Caledonia, who clocked 1 minute and 39.24 seconds in the mixed 4 x 50m freestyle relay.
They broke their own record set at the Pacific Games in Samoa, which was 1 minute 39.79s.
Fiji claimed silver and Samoa bronze in the event.
Medal tally at the end of competition on Thursday, 23 November 2023. Photo: RNZ Pacific
Other swimming winners
In the women's 100m freestyle, Samoa's Olivia Borg claimed a new record and won her second gold medal for the night, stopping the watch at 58.60s.
New Caledonia's Malou Douillard finished second with a time of 58.83 seconds and Fiji's Anahira McCutcheon (59.54)
Borg picked up the gold in the women's 50m butterfly event as well with a time of 27.83 seconds, finishing ahead of New Caledonia's Lillie Freulon (28.01) and Douillard (28.30).
The double-gold winner said she was not expecting the wins but was excited.
"Honestly, I'm over the moon. I was not expecting this at all but I couldn't be any happier right now," she told Pacific Games Media.
"I came into the Games just to have fun and so coming out with four golds is just amazing. I wouldn't have thought of it and I'm lost for words, but I'm just really happy.
"Obviously coming here to represent my country, being here with all the other Samoan sports as well just means a lot, having the support by my family, and this is my first Pacific Games as well so I'm enjoying every single moment and I'm representing my family as well."
Young Fijian Kelera Mudunasuoko won gold in the women's 100m breaststroke.
The 16 year old Nadi student clocked 1 minute and 13.01 seconds in her gold swim aead of Cook Islands' Mary Connolly and New Caledonia's Manon Baldovini.
Ethan Dumesnil of New Caledonia comfortably secure gold with a time of 24.31 seconds in the men's 50m butterfly.
Federated States of Micronesia's Tasi Limtiaco took gold in the men's 100m breaststroke, with a time of 1 minute and 3.60 seconds.
More medals are at stake in today's (Friday's) last events for swimming.
Kelera Mudunasuoko (middle) with her gold medal flanked by her fellow competitors Cook Islands’ Mary Connolly and New Caledonia’s Manon Baldovini. Photo: Team Fiji
What to expect today
Weightlifting closes competition today along with archery. Medals will be decided in both competitions.
Bastketball and volleyball are also entering their second last day of competition.
Fiji and Samoa are dominating in sevens rugby at the National Stadium.
The two Pacific giants are tipped to make it to the finals in the men's and women's competition but also face tough opposition from Tonga, the Solomons and Cook Islands.
Fiji Rugby 7s men's team defeated American Samoa 55-0 in their first pool match while the Fijiana women's side beat Wallis and Futuna 29-0.
Solomon Islands recorded a 22-5 win against Cook Islands in the women's competition, while the men's team had a 34-0 victory against Tahiti and a 29-0 win over Wallis and Futuna.
In other women's matches Tonga thrashed Nauru 51-0.
In the other men's matches Samoa beat Tuvalu 21-14 while Tonga hammered Nauru 46-0, with Papua New Guinea winning 62-0 against Tahiti.
Karate enters its second and final day with medals on the table.
Singles and mixed doubles events continue in tennis, while the women's and men's doubles begins today.
Golf, sailing, table and football also continues.
In football Tonga and Samoa will face off in their final pool, followed by Fiji v Solomon Islands.
In the men's Cook Islands face New Caledonia Northern Mariana Islands takes on Tahiti.
Finals in the event will be held on Saturday.
