Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SWIMMERS Connor Grist and Alexis Johnsen have said the upcoming Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championships next month in Gaborone, Botswana is more about building-up to the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Both made the team for the YOG to be hosted by Senegal from October 31 to November 13.
They are also set to represent Zimbabwe at the Zone IV Championships from September 2 to 5 in Botswana.
To them, this year’s edition of the regional competition is not just about podium performance and medals but a part of their build up to the Youth Olympics.
Grist and Johnsen are two of the swimmers that will be led by coach Lindsy Tudor-Cole to the Games coming to the African continent for the first time.
The other two swimmers are Daniella Viki and Kwandokuhle Nkomazana.
Grist set to compete in the men’s 400m at the YOG expressed satisfaction with his preparations and the progress made so far.
“They have been going good. I have been pushing very hard in training recently.
“For Zone IV I am not really going to take it as a competition, I am mainly going to take it as a training event just to see my times and stuff, just to see where I rank myself in Zimbabwe.
“I am not going to taper down for it. But right now, I have just been focusing on holding times which I have greatly decreased…So, I can see the progress in training already,” said Grist.
The four swimmers are currently in South Africa for a week-long camp as part of the YOG preparations.
With the competition at the YOG expected to be more competitive, Grist is hoping it will also push him in terms of his performance.
“Well, whatever happens in Zone IV, I am not really going to take it to the head because they are not going to be same results as they are going to be at the Olympics.
“What I am going to do at the Olympics, is hopefully going to be way better than what I do at Zone IV.
“Zone IV is just going to be an event that’s in between the competition,” said Grist.
Johnsen, is bracing for the women’s 50m freestyle at the Youth Olympics, one of her best events.
And admits training has been tough.
“Training has been pretty difficult at the moment. But I am just trying to push through and give it all I can for this amazing monumental event for Africa, and I just really want to do the best I can. I think going to Botswana will be a great experience and help me to get some race pace practice and some good racing before I leave for Dakar.
“I mean I am obviously just aiming to do the best I can but a medal is always a bonus,” said Johnsen.
Viki will compete in the women’s 800m freestyle while Nkomazana is gearing up for the men’s 50m butterfly at the YOG.
Viki is also up for the Zone IV championships.
