Local swimmers optimistic ahead of Junior Pan Am Games

With the Junior Pan American Games commencing today, Guyana’s swimming team are likely to be the first in action in Colombia.

Aleka Persaud, Leon Seaton, and siblings Patrice and Paul Mahaica were the Guyanese swimmers to make the cut for the first-ever Junior Pan American Games.
While the team have benefited from the expertise of their individual coaches, the hope to excel in Colombia is common amongst the group.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sport prior to their departure earlier this week, the swimmers shared their individual expectations and foreseeable challenges.
For Seaton, his recent slew of international appearances has readied him for the big stage in Cali, Colombia.
“My preparation has been [going] really, really well. I’ve been to Peru; I’ve done a week of training; I even competed in Peru. My results from my previous competitions have been okay. I mean we’re looking forward for better results in Colombia and we’re gonna bring home some golds,” Seaton told this publication.
He went on to say this about his training, “My international training will be a great factor for me. For the fact that I trained overseas for a few months, roughly eight. I believe that my training will help me along in Colombia and put me up against the other swimmers.”
He said, “I expect to improve my times and rank Guyana very high within the medal table, so we can come home looking very nice for our nation.”
Only recently, with the exception of Paul Mahaica, the swimmers participated in the Junior South American Swimming Championships. Referencing this, Patrice Mahaica said it has been great exposure for her.
“It was really great, other than the high altitude, the competition was really great. I improved my times and I made personal bests,” the younger Mahaica sibling said.
When quizzed about whether or not the unfamiliar altitude in Colombia will affect her, she answered, “Yes and no. It all depends on how warm your body is, but other than that, it is a challenge.”
Patrice kept her expectations simple, sharing that she was focused on bettering her PB once again.
“I expect to do my best and I hope to improve my timings in all my events,” she said.
As for her brother, Paul Mahaica Jr, his outlook is also quite simple.
“I hope to improve my time and swim my best,” the young man told this publication.
He added, “I was training continuously for the past couple months, very hard with my coach.”
Asked the same question about altitude worries, the elder Mahaica was quite confident he would be able to stand up to the test.
Paul stated, “My father has been training me harder than usual, to be stronger for high-altitude swimming.”
On the other hand, Olympian Aleka Persaud explained how that experience has not only boosted her swimming but given her better insight into the international circuit.
“I would say it has given me a better view on the sport, shows me what I have to do to be the best. I think I’m working to get to the top,” Persaud said about her outing at the Olympic Games earlier this year.
She continued, “It has given me motivation, the push, the want to compete at the very first Junior Pan American Games. I know what to expect and I will put my best foot forward.”
“My expectation is to improve my times and do the best that I can do,” the 15-year-old concluded.
Guyana’s swimming team are being coached by Paul Mahaica Sr and the team will dive into action this weekend. The Junior Pan American Games will conclude on Sunday, December 5. (Jemima Holmes)