Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S swimmers will be hoping to improve on last year’s third-place finish when they dive into action at the Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championships in Gaborone, Botswana, tomorrow.
The championships, which bring together swimmers from across the Southern African region, run until Saturday.
Zimbabwe have sent a 42-member team made up of young and experienced swimmers, and one of the captains, Tafadzwa Chandiwana, believes they are capable of another strong showing.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub before the team’s departure, Chandiwana said there was a good balance within the squad.
“It’s a very good team. A lot of young kids, and they are very good. It will be very nice, as it’s a lot of different age groups mixed.
“So, it’s going to be a very nice team, and it’s going to be interesting to watch and see them race, and I am sure they will do very well.”
Zimbabwe finished third behind Namibia and South Africa last year and will be hoping to challenge for another podium finish.
“We always have to expect the best and always reach for the stars.
“So, hopefully first, just pushing our best and hoping that everyone pushes and does their best, so we can reach that goal.
“But whatever the results are, I am pretty sure everyone would have done their best, and that’s all that matters,” said Chandiwana.
The Zimbabwe captain is also hoping to lead by example when she takes to the pool.
“I am just hoping for very good times, PBs (personal bests) and medals as well, but not too much pressure on my-self, because it’s been a long time since I have raced, like months.
“So yeah, just good times and hopefully medals as well, that would be very nice,” said Chandiwana.
The competition will also provide valuable international exposure for some of the younger swimmers, while for the likes of Daniella Viki, it is an opportunity to measure her progress ahead of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Chandiwana, who has represented Zimbabwe at the regional championships before, believes the event gives local swimmers a useful measure of where they stand against their peers on the continent.
“I think it’s very beneficial in the sense that it’s a lot of different African countries, so you get to see exactly where you are compared to other countries, and where you sit, not just like us competing together in Zimbabwe.
“So, it’s very good and beneficial, especially for the upcoming ones, as they get to see what it is really like to race internationally against other countries.”
Other countries expected to compete include Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa and Zambia.
