A Samoan paralympic swimmer has set his eyes on making the Paralympics and Tokyo Olympics, even as uncertainty swirls around the 2021 global sporting event.

Sitivi Sooaemalelagi – who hails from Maugafiafia, Leulumoega Tuai, Sapapalii and Ulutogia Aleipata – currently attends the University of Adelaide in Australia.

He said in response to an email from the Samoa Observer that he is currently a freshman studying at the Australian university and he grew up in Samoa with his two big sisters and a younger brother.

“I’m not quite set on a major yet but I am interested in engineering, statistics and physics,” he said. “My parents once ran an eco-tour company in Samoa and with my two elder sisters and my younger brother we were basically ‘chucked’ into the outdoor life of hiking, kayaking, cycling and mountain climbing.

“Swimming was a welcome escape as mum and dads ‘oke’ or admonishments were lost in the waves, and ocean swimming in particular struck me as something of a thrill, as I’ve always held a deep respect for the beauty of nature and it really began from here.”

Sooaemalelagi has clubfoot, which is a congenital deformity of the foot usually shaped or twisted position of the angle and heel and toes. And due to his condition, he cannot participate in contact sports due to the risk of injury.

"From childhood I struggled with a disability – my left foot at birth was slightly curved otherwise known as clubfoot – so contact sport unfortunately was ruled out and the risk of injuring my foot from excessive walking, running or kicking put an end to my hopes of either rugby, soccer or basketball." 

But Sooaemalelagi did not throw in the towel, as encouraged by his family, he took up swimming to kick off the journey.

"Encouraged by my parents, grandma and the Aoga Faamasani Amosa, I took up swimming and the journey began,” he said. “It hasn’t been easy and by that, I mean Samoa is a small nation with limited resources. 

“Athletes simply can’t afford to attend all international swim meets and although our swimming facilities at Tuanaimato are excellent – time constraints on the pool’s usage and the COVID epidemic has stopped training in Samoa in its tracks.”

Last year he had some good fortune when he was in Chicago and earned an associate degree in science, though the joy was short lived as the COVID-19 pandemic struck to bring to an end his dream of swimming in the U.S.

But thankfully the University of Adelaide stepped in and invited him to join an elite club of athletes. 

“Fortunately, the University of Adelaide threw me a lifeline to join an elite club of athletes in Adelaide, where now I receive the highest levels of training and get to compete with some of the best swimmers in Australia.”

With the University of Adelaide offering him a home to train, Sooaemalelagi needs to compete in a qualifying match, if he is to compete in the Paralympics. 

And the Open Ocean Water Race held in Australia last week was just the sort of competition that he said helped him in some ways.

"It will be the first time a Samoan or a Pacific Islander has ever competed in swimming at the Paralympics,” he said. “My preparations to date are on track but also involves a complex process of certifications and qualifications beginning March 2021 here in Adelaide.

“So wish me luck and yeah extremely upbeat and hopefully all will be approved by our Samoa Swimming Association in time.”

The Samoan paralympic swimmer has already clocked a couple of milestones in some of the races he has participated in.

"I swam in the biggest Open Ocean Water Race in South Australia – 267 swimmers in a 1500m race, I placed a respectable 7th and a 400m Elite race of 28 swimmers where I placed 10th. “What I learnt from these races would be of interest to some – I was the only swimmer with a disability in each race! 

“Therefore, it’s given me a boost that with excellent competition and good swim times then the Paralympics could become reality.”

As a swimmer he also goes through challenges, just like any athlete who is eyeing a spot in the Olympics. But for Sooaemalelagi, his challenges have to do with finance and dealing with the unexpected.

"As a swimmer two pressing challenges I face can be addressed in the context of finance and dealing with the unexpected – sometimes it’s exhausting to maintain a singular focus and for me and my fellow athletes – to compete at the highest levels of sport which culminates in the Olympics and represent your nation of birth, culture and family which is Samoa ."

"Realistically it was never going to be straightforward and before any international swimming meet – every soul linked to Samoan swimming – from trainers to grandparents would set up BBQ’s, walkathons and knock on a company directors’ door and assume the ‘posture’ of a matai in need and utter the words ‘sponsorship fa’amolemole’.

“So while you’re doing the butterfly stroke in the pool, you’re praying that an airline ticket is under your towel at the end.”

Nevertheless, Sooaemalelagi believes that the financial challenges he is facing made him realise that not everything in life is about him or his sport, but about people working together. 

He also applauded the efforts of the Government and the various sporting bodies to make things happen.

When Samoa Observer asked about the odds of him representing Samoa in the Paralympics if ever it pushes through, he said it was a difficult question to answer.

"You know that's a very difficult question to answer – and if I could answer in this way – provided that I stay honest to my training plan and work closely with my coaches Suzie Schuster, Shaun Curtis and Samoa Swimming then the odds are in my favor but if I was to constantly worry about what could go wrong or speculate then the odds change. 

“However, if all goes well this year with the Olympics and Paralympics, then it’ll be a dream come true to compete in the highest level of sports."

"In so far as preparing for Tokyo and my general attitude ‘all systems are go’ and whatever the outcome in the short term I will train for the long-term. 

“Like many of us in these trying times I recall what my grandma used to say…’have faith and just focus on what lies ahead God will provide’.

“So yeah I can only do my very best whatever the odds and so representing my birth country will be my greatest honor and privilege."

Sooaemalelagi also acknowledged Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa'ilele Malielegaoi and the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) for their support.