Fiji Sun

Fijian swimmer Meli Malani.

Meli Malani has set a new national record in the 50m Freestyle in Ohio, United States.

His new time of 23.18 broke the current Long Course National record set by Carl Probert by 0.15 seconds. Probert’s time was 23.31 was set at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

Timing wise this couldn’t have come in a better time as Malani chases Rio qualification in the same event. Malani who is currently on a FINA scholarship specifically to prepare for the Olympics at the SPIRE Institute in Ohio has until the Oceania Swimming Championship in June to make a qualifying time.

“Preparation’s been going well,” he said.

“I am where I need to be right now, timetable and schedules are being made for North Carolina, where I’m going to try and qualify for the Olympics.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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