Tasi Limtiaco - swimmer son of celestial navigators

August 2, 2021
TOKYO 2020
Tasi Limtiaco of the Federated States of Micronesia | Photo: @tasi_limtiaco Instagram

For athletes and officials from the 15 Pacific island countries in TOKYO 2020, home is almost one hundred percent saltwater. 

TOKYO, 02 AUGUST 2021 --- Less than 2% of the Pacific Ocean is land and when Pacific islanders say the word ‘home’, they mean ocean first, then inhabited land. 

That aside from community, home, and family, this fragile space at the frontlines of climate change, with huge variances in sporting facilities is also where many athletes grow their dreams and dare to push themselves to the pinnacle sporting event of the world - the Olympic Games.

And for a swimmer like Tasi Limtiaco from the Federated States of Micronesia, a young athlete whose ancestors literally carved homelands in saltwater, this holds true at a deeper level.

In Tokyo, Limtiaco shared that he hopes his performance, ‘inspires the athletes back home to reach for new levels so that we can someday have a Micronesian athlete on the medal podium for the Olympics.’

He said, ‘I feel like swimming is majorly overlooked as a sport and people back home tend to be more into basketball and soccer. 

‘I think with my performance it will help to boost the popularity of swimming and become a more competitive sport in the coming years.’

His words carry deeper resonance when placed against his cultural heritage. 

Limtiaco descends from generations of wayfinders - those for whom modern day navigation instruments are not a necessity in the wide expanse of the ocean.

‘I am from the small outer island of Chuuk called Polowat. Back there we still live very traditionally as in gathering breadfruit, fishing and sailing on traditional canoes, and navigating by the stars. 

‘My grandfather [Rapwi Yaluwair] is a master navigator, and my dad [Rob] is a master canoe builder.’

In his part of the world, infants from the clans of the navigators were traditionally introduced to the ocean before they could walk. 

The feet of infants lowered into rock pools in lagoons so that the ocean would know them and they know the ocean - this familiarisation is part of the drive that Limtiaco extracts from his master navigator grandfather and master canoe builder father to pursue his passion for swimming. 

Like many Pacific island athletes Limtiaco was affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and he had to remain in Phuket, Thailand, where he was in training camp. 

He received support from a development programme organised by the International Swimming Federation (FINA) and trained at the Thanyapura Sports and Health Resort. 

‘For me training in Phuket was majorly affected when the pandemic first started because all the pools closed down. 

‘Anyone who has ever been a swimmer will know that if you take one  day off it takes two days to get back into the rhythm and flow of things. 

‘When Phuket went into lockdown for a month, I was very worried that we wouldn’t be prepared on time. Last year we only had one competition as well which was another major factor because nothing can replace the experience of racing. 

‘When you race you can feel what times you need to start out at or how fast you should finish. Without competitions this year I feel like I was at a slight disadvantage but I had a good time and we can’t change the past, only move forward.’

Limtiaco shared that leadership and discipline were critical.

‘I think it is extremely important because any athlete usually develops leadership qualities as well as very good discipline,’ he said, ‘and they make for very good leaders that will benefit the community’. 

He also commented on the importance of athletes influencing youth.

‘I believe that we are influencing youth to be more active and also live a better lifestyle. Sports and good health come hand in hand.’

On challenges, Limtiaco said, ‘I think the biggest challenge we have is just the lack of competitiveness that is needed for athletes to better themselves. 

‘However, now that the younger athletes are going off to international competitions and gaining a hunger to win,  I believe that in the coming years, the FSM will rise and our athletes will also become better with time.’

Limtiaco now has his eyes set on the World Championships in Abu Dhabi in December. 

Given his bloodlines linking back to navigators and wayfinders who have not needed much save the stars, and nerves to track voyages to land, Limtiaco is a swimmer to watch out for.

A younger generation of swimmers in Micronesia have a role model to look up to.

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About ONOC 
Established in 1981, the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) is one of five Continental Associations. It looks after the interests of 17 member nations in the Oceania Region, including Australia and New Zealand as well as seven associate members. 

ONOC has an office in Guam where Secretary General Mr. Ricardo Blas is based and the Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, where the Office of the President Dr Robin Mitchell is located.

All services and-programmes are based on the ONOC Strategic Plan for 2018-2021, and its 4 Core Functions of (1) Building and Strengthening NOCs Capacity (2) Cultivating Strategic Partnerships (3) Contributing towards Sporting Excellence and (4) Leading by Example.

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For more information, please contact;

Shivneel Narayan
Chief Communications Officer (Acting)
shivneel@oceanianoc.org

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