All three members of the team in Singapore representing The Bahamas at the International Swimming Federation's (FINA) World Swimming Junior Championships took to the pool yesterday in the opening rounds of their respective events. The duo of Margaret Albury and Lilly Higgs competed in the 100-meter (m) breaststroke, while N'nhyn Fernander took on competition in the men's 50m freestyle. Lilly and Margaret finished the 100 breast 24th and 25th in 1:13.00 and 1:13.02 respectively.

Lilly swam in heat five out of lane nine, while Margaret Albury was in the fourth heat, also out of lane nine. Zeynep Gunes from Turkey was the top qualifier of the opening round, touching the wall in a time of 1:06.96, followed by Runa Imai from Japan in 1:08.35 and Katie Matts from Great Britain in a time of 1:08.66. Gunes got even faster in the semi-final round, finishing in 1:06.90 and will be the favorite to win it all in today's final. As for Fernander, he finished 42nd amongst a very competitive field in a time of 24.20 seconds. He came in looking to improve on Tuesday's performance in the 100m butterfly. Coach Stacy Bradley said that he's been struggling with jet lag and that he was disappointed in his swim.

Despite having a better showing, he was only able to muster a sixth place finish in his heat. Australian Kyle Chalmers was the top finisher in the opening round of the men's 50 in a time of 22.48 seconds. Michael Andrew from the United States was second in 22.52 seconds and Pedro Spajari from Brazil rounded out the top three in 22.67. Chalmers also finished as the top qualifier of the semi final round in a time of 22.44 seconds. All three members of team Bahamas will be back in the water again today. Lilly and Margaret Albury will compete in the women's 200m individual medley, while Fernander will be in the 50 butterfly.

Since 2006, FINA has organized the junior swimming championships to allow young swimmer to develop through elite level competition. Every two years, about 500 swimmers aged between 14 and 18 years old gather together to test their skills among an up-and-coming field. This year marks the first time that the international rendezvous takes place in Asia.

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