“I was not too sad about being disqualified (in the 50m breaststroke) because I knew I had another race after that so I kept my mind on the next race and kept going.
Fiji swimmer Anahira McCutcheon receives her silver medal from Oceania National Olympic Committees president Dr Robin Mitchell at the Solomon Islands National Aquatic Centre in Honiara on November 21, 2023 Photo: Serana Salalo
She was disqualified in the women’s 50 metres breaststroke. But this did not deter Anahira McCutcheon.
Instead it inspired the Fiji swimmer to give her best in her remaining events. She may be the youngest member of Team Fiji but she refused to let her disqualification get into her head, she simply shrugged it off and did better.
The 14-year-old came back stronger in her second event on Tuesday night, about 30 minutes after being disqualified.
She won silver in the 50m backstroke with a time of 31.07s.
“I saw that I was placed second and I am really proud of that,” she said.
“I was not too sad about being disqualified (in the 50m breaststroke) because I knew I had another race after that so I kept my mind on the next race and kept going.
“When I was on the block side I moved a little bit, I kind of jiggled after we were told to take our mark. I was thinking if I was disqualified enough and should I go fast or slow down. When I got there, they were like Lane 3 DQ.”
Meanwhile, New Caledonia’s Malou Douillard won gold with a time of 30.78s and Tahiti’s Deotille Videau swam a time of 31.59s to win bronze.
McCutcheon was also part of the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay which won bronze on Tuesday night and in the 4x100m freestyle relay on Monday night.
Swimming is currently the only sport that has won medals for Team Fiji with two silvers and two bronze medals.
Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj
