Laois student Yifei Li impresses at international swimming event

Portlaoise College student Yifei Li has delivered an impressive performance on the international stage, representing Ireland at a junior swimming competition in Lisbon this week. 

The second-year student, who recently secured gold in the 400m freestyle, 100m freestyle, and 200m individual medley at the Leinster Schools Swimming Championships, competed in the 50m, 200m and 400 freestyle events in Portugal.

Among a field of 115 swimmers, Yifei finished 27th in the 50m freestyle, making the Laois student the youngest competitor in the top 30. In the 100m freestyle, she placed 24th. Her most successful event, the 400m freestyle, saw her achieve a personal best by three seconds in the heats, securing a place in the B final. She went on to improve her time by a further five seconds in the final, finishing in second place.

Yifei is one of only ten girls selected for Ireland’s junior team and has been staying with her teammates in the team hotel in Lisbon. Her success comes as a result of a demanding training schedule, with her mother, Shaoyong, playing a key role in supporting her through early morning sessions, some starting as early as 4am with a drive to the National Aquatic Centre.  

Yifei is a member of the hugely successful Laois Marlins swim team and when not training in Dublin can be seen before dawn with her clubmates in Portlaoise Leisure Centre. Yifei is not only a champion swimmer but also represents Leinster in basketball and is a competitive Irish dancer.

 Principal of Portlaoise College,  Noel Daly commended Yifei’s dedication.

“Her hard work and determination are truly commendable. She is a credit to herself, her family, and the school. We are extremely proud of her achievements,” he said. 

Pictured above: Principal Noel Daly with Yifei and her mother Shaoyong

Mr Daly presented Yifei with a gift from the school ahead of her journey to Lisbon.