Fiji swimmer Taichi Vakasama has won the Pacific's first medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.
The 18 year old claimed bronze in the boys 200m breaststroke final, setting a new Fiji senior record as he touched home in 2:17:17.
Vakasama had earlier broken the same record in winning his heat in a time of 2:18:85.
Fiji swimmer Taichi Vakasama won bronze in the Boy's 200m Breaststroke Final at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas. Photo: Team Fiji
The Team Fiji flagbearer admitted that he didn't actually realise he had won a medal when he first finished the race.
"I was really happy when the position shown up on the screen. I'm proud to win the medal for the mission as flagbearer," he said.
"It felt like usual but only thing that I think I was in the zone during the competition (because) I couldn't see anything around me.
"I didn't know it until when I took off my goggles I saw most of the people finished and I needed to go and find the time on the screen."
Fiji's Taichi Vakasama set a new Fiji senior men's record in the 200m breaststroke. Photo: Team Fiji
Team Fiji Chef De Mission Tomasi Tiko said it was a day to remember.
"A very special moment and very exciting. The first time for Taichi to win at this level," he said.
"He went to the previous Commonwealth Youth Games (in Samoa two years ago) and has competed at regional level so a great result at this level."
Fiji swimmer Taichi Vakasama receives his bronze medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games. Photo: Team Fiji
Papua New Guinea's Ryan Maskelyne finished less than a second behind Vakasama in the opening 200m heat and was seventh in the final, which was won by South Africa's Luan Grobbelaar.
Meanwhile, Temafa Yalimaiwai also set a new personal best time and broke the Fiji Under 16 record after winning his heat in the boy's 200m freestyle event.
Tomasi Tiko said Team Fiji have 32 athletes competing in the Bahamas and are hopeful of adding to their medal tally in rugby sevens later in the week.
