Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
FOR budding athlete Anje Van As, her recent outstanding show on debut at the 16th Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Cairo, Egypt, came as a pleasant surprise.
Van As scooped gold in the 200m butterfly, as well as two bronze medals in 100m and 50m butterfly.
Having transitioned from triathlon to swimming, it was the 17-year-old’s maiden appearance at the Africa Junior Swimming Championships, where nerves and competition inexperience could have gotten the better of her and pegged her back.
Yet her triumph even surprised her.
Going into the competition, she told Zimpapers Sports Hub: “I am going into this event hoping for personal bests in my events.”
She got more than personal best times in her respective events.
“I was quite surprised with how well the event went performance-wise,” Van As said. “I am so happy with my swims.
“I am really proud of my achievements. I was quite surprised with how well my races went, especially my 200m butterfly. I wasn’t expecting to get gold in the 200 fly at all. So, this was a great surprise.”
Van As posted personal best times in all the three events, winning gold in 2 minutes 17.95 seconds in the 200m butterfly.
For 50m and 100m butterfly, she came third in 28.58 seconds and 1 minute 02.38 seconds, respectively.
“Since this was my first African Championships for swimming, I was just hoping to get personal bests, but also getting a few medals was an amazing experience,” she said. My initial reaction after seeing the results board was just pure surprise. It was an indescribable feeling of gratitude.”
Van As helped the relay teams — 4x200m and 4x100m freestyle — to secure bronze medals.
“Overall, my experience was great, the pool was amazing and the event was so memorable and meaningful,” she said.
“Moving from triathlon to swimming was a tough decision, but it has proven to be fruitful so far.”
Prior to shifting her focus to just swimming, she also put on outstanding moments in triathlon, winning gold in the youth category twice at the Africa Championships and twice at the South Africa Youth Championships.
“I have always enjoyed doing sport and being outside,” she said. “I did lots of sport in junior school, and have always had a love for the water since I was small.
“Both Bishopslea Prep School and Chisipite Senior School have fostered my love for swimming and sport in general.”
The other members of the 4x200m freestyle relay team were Susie Worsfold, Tori Dawe and Alexis Jonhsen.
The same swimmers, excluding Worsfold, were joined by Mikayla Makwabarara for the 4x100m freestyle.
Makwabarara also got two bronze medals in her individual events — 100m freestyle and 50m freestyle.
The pair’s achievements helped Team Zimbabwe to finish sixth with seven medals at the continental meet.
Now, Van As is looking forward to taking part at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games in July and the Singapore Open Water World Championships later in the year.
“I am hoping to go to Region 5, Singapore Open Water World Championships later this year and complete my A Levels, God willing,” she said.
Coach Tim Phiri, who travelled with the team, says the future looks promising with such outstanding performances as shown by his athletes.
“I believe we have a bright future ahead of us, particularly with swimmers like Makwabarara and Anje Van As, who will be key to our success in upcoming competitions like the 2028 and 2032 Olympics,” he said.
“I would like to thank our team managers, coaches, parents and volunteers for their tireless support and contributions to the team’s success.
“The collaboration between parents and coaches is crucial to the development and performance of our swimmers.”
The team also included Khaya Vimba and Kyle Heyns, who competed in the boys’ section.
Online Reporter