Sereana Salalo/PACNEWS

The 19-year-old also clocked a Personal Best (PB) time of 22.71 at Paris La Defense Arena.

He previously set the old 50m Freestyle National Record (NR) of 22.87 at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka.

The US-based swimmer took his training up a notch after he won silver in the same event at the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands.

“Just because you don’t win doesn't mean you don’t exactly win.

"I'm still happy with my performance at the PG.

“From there until now, I picked up my training and nailed out some of things were wrong.

“I’m happy that I set a national record here,” he said.

While he was satisfied with his Olympic debut outing there were a few things he admitted that he could have done better.

"Just a few things like holding and gliding a bit longer but I was in the moment in a very intense atmosphere, Young said.

In the lead up to the to Paris, Young made his fair share of sacrifices like missing out on social outings with his friends, week in and week out, to focus on his training and preparations.

“I have been locked in the Games Village (and not watch the Fiji Rugby Sevens teams) because I wanted to perform my best over here,” Young said.

“I’m really happy to represent Fiji; very proud and honoured and could not ask for any other way it happened.”

Young is hopeful that he will make his second Olympic appearance at the Olympic Games LA 2028 where he wants to compete for a medal.