The Virgin Islander swimming sister duo of Amarah and Elinah Phillip aged 15 and 14 respectively who were among the youngest competitors in Glasgow, Scotland headed to Sheffield, England where Elinah swam in the British Age Group National Championships for swimmers aged 11-14. Photo: Provided

Amarah among the swimmers taking the plunge. Photo: Provided

Amarah and Elinah Phillip in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo: Provided

Amarah speaking with a journalist at the Glasgow Games. Photo: Provided

After an exhilarating few days in Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games the Virgin Islander swimming sister duo of Amarah and Elinah Phillip aged 15 and 14 respectively who were among the youngest competitors in Glasgow, Scotland headed to Sheffield, England where Elinah swam in the British Age Group National Championships for swimmers aged 11-14.

Amarah produced a trio of fantastic times and finishes in her Commonwealth Games debut with personal bests on every one of her 3 swims placing as high as first, second and fourth in her qualifying heats.

““The Commonwealth Games was an amazing experience! Participating in the games gave me the opportunity to compete against athletes from various countries in the Commonwealth and I found the atmosphere inspirational in Glasgow,” said Amarah.

“I was able to see athletes that I would typically see only on television perform at a very high level and that was surreal for me. Competing at the Commonwealth Games has definitely inspired me to continue working hard towards my goals in my sport,” she said.

“Later this month I will be competing in the 2nd Youth Olympic Games, swimming the 50m Butterfly and 50m Freestyle events in Nanjing, China. At the Youth Olympics I hope to attain as many personal bests as possible and continue to learn and grow as a swimmer.”

The personal best and national record that eluded Elinah in Glasgow was attained in Sheffield with a 1:00.52 swim in the 100 freestyle. Her aim was a sub 1:00.00 swim but the result she got still closes her season on a high note.

““I really enjoyed the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It was a great experience and words cannot explain how much I learned and how much fun it was. My time at the games has affected the way I look at my performances, it has encouraged me to stay motivated so that I can perform to the level or exceed the level of which the senior athletes at the games performed with continued training and dedication,” said Elinah.

According to Elsworthy Phillip, who is President of the BVI Swimming Federation (BVISF), “These events have been a good precursor to this month's Youth Olympic Games where Amarah will represent the BVI swimming in the 50 freestyle and 50 butterfly events in Nanjing China. Amarah and Elinah’s results this year have been phenomenal and their progress and growth in the sport has been steady.”

He concluded that the BVISF is extremely pleased with both girls representation of the BVI and their performances.

Results of Commonwealth Games and British National Age Groups

Amarah-Commonwealth Games

50 freestyle PB 28.95
50 butterfly PB 30.94
100 butterfly PB 1:09.19

Elinah- British National Championships

50 freestyle 27.57
100 freestyle PB/NR 1:00.52