The 2025 Papua New Guinea National Short Course Swimming Championships recently took place at the Lae International School pool.

Proudly sponsored by FedEx, the competition brought together competitors, clubs, families, and supporters from all over the country, from various age groups – the youngest competitor, five-year-old Georgie King, to the oldest, 60-year-old Masters swimmer Tony King.

Athletes competed in various age categories, with events designed to highlight both competitive excellence and participation for all levels.

Also, a participant, Ryan Pini, President of PNG Swimming Inc., stated that this year’s championships encouraged inclusivity and lifelong passion for swimming.

 “It’s inspiring to see our youngest swimmers share the pool with seasoned masters like Tony King. That’s what builds the future of the sport.”

The sponsorship from FedEx provided much needed support to keep the event running smoothly, which included logistics assistance, competition resources, and vibrant branding.

Their collaboration demonstrates a growing dedication to promoting community development and youth sports in Papua New Guinea.

The weekend ended with medal presentations and acknowledgements to coaches, officials, and volunteers responsible for making the event a success.

Strong performances were seen across all age categories, signaling a promising future for PNG swimming both nationally and internationally.

At the Championships, four young swimmers reached significant milestones by advancing to the Silver Intermediate Squad:

From Boroko Amateur Swimming Club:

- Lily Lin (12)

- Dylan Papenfus (12)

From Lae Amateur Swimming Club:

- Cassandra Boas (14)

- Elshadai Salum (13)

This year’s event also featured six new PNG short course records, highlighting the rising level of competition across the country.

Michelle Garbutt (43) broke three national records in the 40–44 age category

:

• 100m Freestyle – 1:19.44

• 200m Freestyle – 2:55.44

• 400m Freestyle – 6:42.72

Tony King (60) also set three national records in the 60–64 age group:

• 50m Freestyle – 30.93

• 100m Freestyle – 1:09.92

• 100m Butterfly – 1:22.82

These exceptional results reflect the dedication and experience of PNG’s Masters swimmers, inspiring the younger generation to aim for their own achievements.

PNGSI expresses its appreciation to the Lae Amateur Swimming Club for hosting the championships at their facility and extends heartfelt thanks to major sponsor FedEx for its ongoing support of swimming in Papua New Guinea.