14-Year-Old Grace Khelan Wins Second Gold in New Zealand

Fijian swimmer Grace Khelan has secured two gold medals at the New Zealand Age Group Swimming Championships in Hastings. The 14-year-old athlete won the 100 metres freestyle women’s heat with a time of 59.57 seconds, marking her second gold medal of the competition.

Khelan previously earned a gold medal in the 50 metres freestyle for her age group during the same championships. Her performance in Hastings follows a successful international debut in Dunedin last month, where she won three gold medals.

Development and Coaching

Fiji Aquatics Performance Coach Sharon Smith stated that Khelan has been a superstar since she was under 12. According to Smith, Khelan waited until she turned 14 to begin gaining international exposure and experience.

Smith noted that Khelan’s results in Hastings, which included breaking age-group records, demonstrate the necessity of overseas experience to produce such results. Smith added that Khelan currently ranks in the top two for several events within Fiji.

The performance coach also credited Head Coach Esther Malani for her patience and hard work in managing Khelan’s development and pathway to this level of competition.

Future Competition Schedule

Khelan has already achieved several qualifying times for the Oceania Championships, which are scheduled to take place next month in Suva.

Looking further ahead, the goals for Khelan and her team include several major international events:

• The Junior Pan Pacific championships this year
• The Youth Olympics this year
• The Commonwealth Youth Games
• Competitions in Tahiti next year

Family Reaction

Michael Khelan, the father of the swimmer, expressed his pride in his daughter’s achievements, stating that the hard work and sacrifice are paying off.

He reminds his daughter to stay humble as this is just the start of God’s great vision for her.

Michael Khelan via Fijivillage