By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The country’s swimmers are hoisting the country’s flash high in the XX Africa Aquatic Zone IV Swimming and Open Water Championships in Windhoek, Namibia.
This comes after the country pocketed two gold medals on Wednesday evening through Luca Fraser and Chadd Ning. This added the bronze medal that was won by Hayley Hoy in the opening of the competitions in the 800m freestyle.
The country is represented by 18 swimmers in the four days champions under the guidance of Coach Mxolisi Mpanza, Assistant Coach Sherlley-Ann Hoy-Willmott with Saleveni Ndzimandze being the team Manager.
The duo of Chadd Ning and Luca Fraser won the gold medals in the 50m breaststroke.
Luca Fraser was sensational in the 50m breaststroke as he did not only win the gold medal but he also set a new long course age group record in the Boys between 13 and 14 years. He set a the record at 32:79 seconds, breaking a 20 year-old record by Luke Hall that set at 33:21 second in 2004.
Chadd Ning finished on time of 30:76 seconds which was his personal best in the Boys 17-29 years to finish first and having the national anthem played for his achievement.
Meanwhile, the Eswatini Swimming Association (ESA) congratulated the swimmers for the achievement and still there is more to be achieved as the competitions continue to day Saturday.
Congratulations to Rachel Dlamini, Leah Dlamini, Josea Potgieter, Bahlelelwe Simelane and Nosimilo Dlamini for recording their first 50m breaststroke long course times. Well done to Aimee Willmott, Bahlelelwe Simelane and Nosimilo Dlamini for recording their FIRST 100m backstroke long course time,” reads a statement from ESA.
ESA also appreciated the effort by Tsailin Barbosa, Kendra Mc Namara, Daniella Nunes, Luca Fraser, Tiano Fraser and Chadd Ning for achieving Personal Best (PB’s) in the 50m breaststroke long course times.
