Iakwe Kom Aolep (Greeting to you all)

My name is Phillip Kinono; I am from the Ebeye Kwajalein, located in the Marshall Islands. I grew up surrounded by the ocean and loved swimming my whole life. I have been to few international competitions representing my home country, including the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. As a competitive swimmer growing up, the person that inspires me and who I look up to is Michael Phelps. The reason why I swim is that there is a chance to be extraordinary. What extraordinary means for each of us is completely different. For some, it is to swim butterfly for 200 meters non-stop and not have their stoke collapse (okay, most of us). For others, it is to swim collegiately, and others, to grace the podium in international competitions. I swim because it's an opportunity to challenge myself, to fight through pain and discomfort, and emerge on the other side stronger and tougher.