Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE 17th Africa Aquatics Senior and Junior Swimming Championships get underway today in Oran, Algeria, with Team Zimbabwe coach Chipo Mwachema declaring that they are ready for the meet.
The competition is running until Sunday. Zimbabwe are fielding a 10-member team made up of four seniors and six junior swimmers.
“They have been training early mornings and evening sessions gearing up to this competition, so I would say the swimmers are set to give their best on this platform,” Mwachema said.
In the seniors, Zimbabwe will be represented by Paul Mwipikeni and Ashley Berejena in the men’s section, while UK-based Paige Van Der Westhuizen and South Africa-based Anje Van As are up in the women’s competition.
For the juniors, in the women’s category Alexis Johnsen, Neema Bhulabhai and UK-based Mikayla Makwabarara will carry the nation’s hope while Teak Watson, Connor Grist and Musawakhe Ncube compete in the junior men.
All team members were in Algeria by Sunday night.
“All swimmers arrived safely in Algeria, with Mikayla having been the last to arrive late last night (Sunday).
“Safe to say the swimmers are all settling in well and adjusting to the conditions here in Oran, Algeria.
“We have managed to have two training sessions so far, with one slated for later this afternoon (yesterday).
“This is really good for the swimmers as it has allowed them to adjust as best as they can to the conditions, different swimming pools and also changes in altitude.”
The spotlight is on the likes of Van Der Westhuizen, who is the women’s captain.
She has been to several major competitions, including the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“The build-up has been good. I have had a really strong training block the last few months and some racing in April to prepare myself for this.
“I am hoping to keep posting PBs, and I have the 50m freestyle national record and 50m breaststroke records as targets.
“I also hope to come back with a few medals for Zimbabwe,” said Van Der Westhuizen. Besides the 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke, she is also competing in 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 50m butterfly, 200m individual medley and relays.
Anje Van As, a gold medallist at the 2025 Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships, will also be hoping for another milestone as she makes her debut at the senior level.
For the juniors, Zimbabwe will be pinning their hopes on Johnsen, gold medallist at the African Youth Games in the 50m freestyle.
The continental competition presents an opportunity for the swimmers to assess their progress against some of the best on the continent and also to pursue podium performances. Mwachema said they had a good build-up to the championships.
“We have had a strong build-up to this event from our athletes, and, based on their previous performances, I expect top swims from both our junior and senior athletes.
“Team spirits are high, and the athletes are all mentally prepared, and so I would say we can look forward to some top-tier racing from our athletes and plenty of new personal bests (PBs) and podium finishes from the athletes representing Team Zimbabwe,” Mwachema said.
The Senior and Junior Championships were initially scheduled to take place in Ghana before being moved to Algeria.
