Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
SWIMMING coach Masi Takaedza has expressed satisfaction with the performance displayed by the young swimmers that represented the country at the Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championships in Manzini, Eswatini.
Zimbabwe with a total of 29 medals — four gold, 10 silver and 15 bronze — finished third behind Namibia and South Africa as the curtain came down on the regional meet over the weekend.
Takaedza lauded the young swimmers for their fighting spirit.
“I am very pleased with how the team carried itself in Eswatini. This was largely a developmental side, yet they showed real character, discipline and hunger to race.
“To finish third overall in the team standings was something we honestly didn’t expect, and it’s a testament to how well the swimmers rose to the occasion.
“We saw medals, plenty of personal bests, and most importantly, a willingness to step up against stronger and more experienced teams in the region. That speaks to a healthy future for Zimbabwean swimming,” said Takaedza.
The likes of Jude Moss, Alexis Johnsen and Eliecia Chivandire were among the outstanding swimmers for Team Zimbabwe.
Moss, competing in the 11 to 12-year-old boys, picked eight medals including three gold in the 50m backstroke, 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke.
He broke several records at the championships, setting a new meet record of 30.85 seconds in the 50m backstroke. The previous record was 33.00 seconds. It’s also a new national record.
It was the same story in the 50m freestyle where he swam his way to a gold medal in a meet record time of 26.94 seconds.
The previous record was 28.56 seconds. He also beat the previous national record of 27.10 seconds.
In the 100m backstroke he posted a time of 1 minute 08.78 seconds, setting a new meet record and national record as well.
The other gold medal came from Johnsen in the 50m freestyle, where she set a new meet record and national record when touching the wall in 26.75 seconds.
The previous meet record was 28.87 seconds and the national record was 27.45 seconds.
“There were some really strong individual performances. Jude Moss led from the front with three golds, three silver and two bronze.
“Alexis Johnsen and Eliecia Chivandire also impressed with a number of medals.
“Beyond the podium finishes, I was encouraged by the depth we are starting to build, many others produced life-time best swims and gained valuable experience.
“If this group keeps working hard, I believe several of them will become mainstays in senior teams in the next few years.
“The potential is definitely there for Zimbabwe to strengthen its presence on the continental stage,” said Takaedza. Zimbabwe Swimming chairperson Zanele Nkomazana was pleased with the team and added it was a platform to discover new talent.
“They out performed themselves; we are excited about their performance. “We did not send our top swimmers to give a chance to these promising athletes and they made Zimbabwe proud.
“The result was impressive. We discovered rising stars like Jude Moss. We now have to develop the talent we have identified at this level.
“The competition also gave the few top youth Olympic Games hopefuls a chance to race.
“We head to Botswana next year with our top development squad and we hope to win the gala,” said Nkomazana. Other countries that took part were Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and Zambia.
