Makwabarara, Van As hog limelight at Region 5 Games

Ellina Mhlanga

Zimpapers Sports Hub

IT has been an interesting period for rising swimming sensations Mikayla Makwabarara and Anje Van As, with the duo continuing to be the leading lights for Zimbabwe on the big platforms.

After excelling for Zimbabwe at the 16th Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Cairo, Egypt, from April 30 to May 4, the pair is back leading Team Zimbabwe’s young athletes at the ongoing Africa Union of Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Games in Namibia.

Zimbabwe’s swimming team raked in 13 medals, consisting of three gold, as many silver and seven bronze.

Van As won two gold medals in the 100m and 200m butterfly events and a silver medal in the 200m individual medley.

She also set a new AUSC Region 5 record in the girls’ 19-and-under 100m butterfly with a time of 1 minute 01.01 seconds.

Makwabarara, a 17-year-old sensation, now based in the United Kingdom, won a silver medal in the 50m freestyle, improving from the bronze she won at the African Junior Championships.

There was joy too for the relay teams in which Van As and Makwabarara also featured prominently.

Zimbabwean teams also excelled in relay events, winning:

Gold: Girls’ 4x50m freestyle relay team (comprising Tori Dawe, Alexis Johnsen, Tanatswa Chandiwana, and Makwabarara)

Silver: Women’s 19-and-under 4x100m freestyle relay team (comprising Makwabarara, Johnsen, Van As, and Dawe)

Bronze: Girls’ 4x100m medley relay team (comprising Olivia Accorsi, Vhenekai Dhemba, Van As, and Makwabarara) and Boys’ 4x50m freestyle.

For Van As, her exceptional show in Namibia comes on the heels of another outstanding performance in Cairo, Egypt, in May, where she got a gold in 200m butterfly — two bronze in 100m and 50m butterfly.

She was making her debut at the continental meet, having transitioned from triathlon to just focus on swimming. And she carried the momentum to the regional Games, as she continued making waves in the pool in Swakopmund, Namibia.

The 17-year-old picked up gold in 100m and 200m butterfly. She went on to clinch silver in the 200m individual medley. Interestingly, Van As was joined by her age-mate Makwabarara, also a medallist at the African Junior Championships, as well as Tori Dawe and Alexis Johnsen.

Dawe and Johnsen were part of the 4x200m and 4x100m freestyle relay teams at the continental championships that also included Van As and Makwabarara that got bronze medals.

And they also made positive strides at the regional Games, winning medals in their individual events.

Makwabarara won a silver medal in the 50m freestyle, improving from the bronze she got at the African Championships.

Johnsen claimed two bronze medals in 200m and 400m freestyle events.

And Dawe also got bronze in the 19-and-under 100m freestyle.

Swimming is one of the sport codes that always contributes a number of medals for Team Zimbabwe at such Games. Although, the swimming team at the last edition of the Games in Malawi got more medals, what has impressed one of the coaches for the team, Masi Takaedza, is the effort that saw several of the young swimmers not only picking up medals in their respective events, but also potentially breaking national records.

However, the records are subject to ratification by the Zimbabwe Aquatics Union.

Apart from the national records, Van As set a new AUSC Region 5 record in the girls 19-and-under 100m butterfly with a time of 1 minute 01.01 seconds.

“The team delivered a truly impressive performance in Namibia, and I am extremely proud of every athlete,” said Takaedza.

“We came home with a total of 13 medals — three gold, three silver and 7 bronze, which is a testament to the hard work, discipline and team spirit our swimmers showed throughout the competition.

“One of the standout moments was Anje setting a new regional record, an incredible achievement that reflects her dedication and the level of talent we are developing.

“Several other swimmers also broke national records and posted significant personal bests. Out of all the events at this competition we only failed to reach one final.

“So, we are very proud of our swimmers. The future is definitely looking great.”

Takaedza said beyond the medals, what stood out was the commitment and composure shown by the team.

“They supported one another, raced with heart, and gained valuable experience that will serve them well in future competitions.

“This tour was not only about results but about growth, and I believe we’ve taken a strong step forward,” said Takaedza.

Both Makwabarara and Van As are part of the four-member team that will represent the country at the World Aquatics Championships between this month and August.

They will also team up with Dawe in flying the Zimbabwean flag at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Romania from August 19 to 24.