Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO and Harare swimmers have continued their dominance of the proceedings at the ongoing 2023 Zimbabwe Senior National Swimming Championships at the City Pool in Bulawayo.
At the close of day three on Saturday, the two provinces, who contributed the most swimmers at the national championships also proved strong as they continued having the upper hand in most of the races.
In the girls’ 100-metre Long Course freestyle event, Harare dominated all the age groups throughout. Kuzivakwashe Govo topped the Under-12s age group section while Alexis Johnsen scooped the 13 and 14 age group top slot. In the 15 and 16 group, Tori Dawe emerged on top while Tanatsirwa Chitsurura won the 17 -24 group accolade. The over 25 section was taken home by Memory Chigutsa.
The boys’ section had mixed results with the two provinces scooping top slots in different groups. Siqokoqela Mphoko (junior) won gold in the boys’ under-12 age group while Harare’s Kyle Guta took home the 13 and 14 age group accolade. Onesimus Ngwenya from Bulawayo won the 15 and 16 age group while the last group, 17-24 was won by Benjamin Rorke from Harare.
The next event was the 200-metre backstroke whose results were also split between the two provinces in the girls’ section. Mbalenhle Jared won the Under-12s event while the following age group was won by Sophie Martell and the other one was scooped by Olivia Arcosi. Olympian Donata Katai won the 17-24 age group to round up the event.
Jwes Jared won the boys’ Under-12 200-metre backstroke in an event that was dominated by Bulawayo swimmers throughout. Nathan Chibva scooped the 13 and 14 age group while the next group was taken by Patrick Duff and the final group, 17-24 was won
Jared went on to top the girls’ 50-metre breaststroke while Johnsen took the 13 and 14 age group top spot and Susie Worsfold topped the 15 and 16 group while Kiara Goodinson won the 17-24 group. In the boys’ side, Watipa Zvenyika topped the Under-12 section while Guta scooped the 13 and 14 age group. Khaya Vimba topped the 15 and 16 age group charts while Cory Werrett won the 17-24 group accolade.
The following event was the 200-metre butterfly in which Daniella Viki topped the girls’ Under-14 group before Anje Van As took home the 15 and 16 age group as Mkhuseli Mahobele won the 17-24 section. In the boys’ side, Sibusiso Fayayo won the Under-14 section and Ngwenya scooped the 15 and 16 group. The last group in the boys’ section 17-24, Ryan Franceys topped the charts.
After the completion of the 200-metre butterfly, Harare went on to win all the girls’ age group 400-metre medley relays. The boys’ Under-12 relay was won by Mashonaland Country Districts while Bulawayo scooped the 13-14 and 15-16 age groups before Harare took home the Over-17 group.
After day three, Harare was leading with a combined team score of 1 588, 5 points followed by Bulawayo on 1 254 points. Mashonaland Country Districts have 282 points while Matabeleland South had 231, 5 and Midlands were on 13 points only.
Yesterday’s results were yet to be finalised late in the day. The championship ends today. – @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter