Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Youth Olympic Games swimmers have entered the final stretch of their preparations for Dakar, with three members of the four-member team set for a competitive test in Botswana next week after a week-long camp in South Africa.
Kwandokuhle Nkomazana, Daniella Viki, Alexis Johnsen and Connor Grist spent a week at the High-Performance Centre in Pretoria, where coach Lindsy Tudor-Cole said the quartet returned motivated by the experience and exposure to university-level athletes.
Johnsen, Viki and Grist will compete at the Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championships in Gaborone from September 2 to 5, giving them an opportunity to gauge their progress after the winter break.
Tudor-Cole said the Pretoria camp had achieved its objectives despite difficult weather conditions.
“The camp was very good. We had some harsh weather, but it didn’t stop us,” said Tudor-Cole.
“The swimmers got some good training. We did all our testing, and it was also a great time for team building prior to leaving for Dakar.
“I think we got some very good work in and the swimmers came back really inspired.”
While much of the training was similar to the work being done in Harare, Tudor-Cole believes the experience of training alongside university athletes gave the young swimmers a useful insight into the level of commitment required.
“I think the key takeaway for the swimmers was actually working with university students and just watching their work ethic more than anything,” she said.
“The training and all that, we are doing similar things in Harare, but it is just watching how committed and dedicated they are.”
For Johnsen, Viki and Grist, the Zone IV Championships will provide valuable race practice before the final push towards Dakar.
“Three of them, Lexi, Connor and Daniella, are going to compete in the Zone IV Championships, where we will use that as a warm-up and to get some race practice in,” said Tudor-Cole.
“And then it’s really working hard for the next 70 or so days to Dakar.”
Johnsen is expected to represent Zimbabwe in the women’s 50m freestyle, while Viki will compete in the women’s 800m freestyle.
Grist is lined up for the men’s 400m freestyle, with Nkomazana set for the men’s 50m butterfly.
The Youth Olympic Games will run from October 31 to November 13. Swimming is one of seven sporting codes in which Zimbabwe will be represented in Dakar, alongside athletics, cycling, equestrian, judo, rowing and triathlon. The Games will be the first Youth Olympics to be staged in Africa.
