GTA Youth Leader Mark Imazu heads to World Swimming Championships

Tamuning, Guam, Monday, December 13, 2021 - Mark Imazu, GTA Youth Leader and scholar-athlete, left Guam over the weekend to compete in the 15th FINA World Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi.  He joins three other local athletes set to represent Guam in the international competition, held from December 16 to 21. 

Elite swimmers from every continent and country will gather and compete in one pool, including Olympic medalists like Caeleb Dressel from the USA Olympic Swim Team set to compete in the same competition.

Imazu has been swimming since the age of 3, with many years of training committed to the sport. He has spent countless hours at the gym and in the water to prepare.  His biggest inspiration is his brother, Tommy, who trains alongside him.  Through his hard work and dedication to the sport, he holds the fastest time on Guam for the 400m and 1500 freestyle divisions.

Though the pandemic postponed swimming competitions, Imazu is beyond excited to compete for the first time in almost two years. Through his experiences, he hopes to bring back stories and experiences to showcase to the next generation.

"It's been too long since I have competed internationally. I hope to see new places and experience what it is like in the Middle East. I look for the fun in competition and do my best in practice because competition is my favorite part of this sport. To compete in places like Abu Dhabi- it is a place for my teammates and me to show to the world what Guam has to offer," he says.

Imazu is a senior at John F. Kennedy High School, where he also stays committed to excelling in academics.  He is the captain of the Manhoben Swim Club, the JFK Cross Country Team, active in numerous clubs like the Island wide Board of Governing Students and Student Council WAY.

His advice to youth in our community?

"Set high goals and never give up," he concluded.

Imazu is among five GTA Youth Leaders for SY 2021-2022 to include Grace Anne Dela Cruz (Community Philanthropist) from Simon Sanchez High School, Isabella Olalia (Creative Artist) from George Washington High School, Elizabeth Chua (STEM Achiever) from St. John's School, and Neleh-Jan Leon Guerrero (Career and Technical Innovator) from Guam High School.

GTA Youth Leaders excel in academics and creative positive change in the community.