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Two older ladies help tie Tongan mats around a young child wearing white in what looks to be a family living room
A young Noelani back in Holonga, Tongatapu with her grandmother and great grandmother helping put on her ta'ovala.(Supplied:  Vila Ardell )

A swimmer swims in the distance between two ropes making a lane in the ocean
During COVID restrictions in 2020, Noelani trained in the family's backyard lagoon in Holonga in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.(Supplied:  Vila Ardell)

Kids dive and chill on a shipwreck in shallow waters with the words 'ofa atu' and 'big mama' on the side of the wreck
Noelani with swimmers in the Malolo Swim Club circa 2017, take a break from training on the shipwreck off Pangaimotu island.(Penina Momoisea)

A lady sits on the top of the wharf looking down at young swimmers in the water in Tonga
Noelani's mother Vila gives instructions to Noelani and a few of the Malolo Swim club members on the American wharf in Nuku'alofa, circa 2017.(Penina Momoisea)

Tongan athlete Noelani Day in a red Tongan uniform stands in the middle of a row of flags in front of a building
Tongan swimmer Noelani Day at the Paris Olympics.(Supplied:  Vila Ardell)

Two women standing in the markets smiling and wearing Tongan style garlands
Noelani and her mother Vila trying on Kahoa at the local market place in Nuku'alofa, Tonga, circa 2017.(Penina Momoisea)

Tongan teens lined up in a row in swimming gear and swimming caps pose together for a photo
Noelani and a few of the members of the Malolo Swim Club in Tonga after a training session on Pangaimotu Island.(Penina Momoisea)
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A surfer comes through a wave and lifts his hands up above his head while riding the surfboard in blue shorts and red surf top