A career-best performance at the Oceania Championships has earned swimmer Christian Toia the opportunity to represent Samoa at next month's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The 20-year-old, who has family ties to Ma'asina Fagaloa and Vaigaga, secured qualification in several events, including the breaststroke races, the 200-metre individual medley and mixed relay events after an impressive showing in Fiji.
"Honestly, I swam the best that I've swum in a long time," Toia said.
While he believed he had a chance of selection, Toia said receiving confirmation of his place on the team was an emotional moment.
"I knew I had my foot in the door, but I didn't know I'd be selected," he said. "I was ecstatic, over the moon. It was something words can't really describe."
