Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Swimming interim committee coordinator Rumbidzai Mahobele says the performance by local swimmers at the just-ended Africa Aquatics Championships shows the sport is still alive in the country.
Zimbabwe had a 10-member team competing in Oran, Algeria and wrapped up their participation over the weekend with 12 medals in the bag.
The curtain came down on the Senior and Junior Swimming Championships on Sunday with the inaugural inter-zonal competition featuring teams from the four zones.
But for Zimbabwe, the job had already been done, having amassed three gold medals, six silver and three bronze.
The team consisted of four seniors and six juniors, competing in the men’s and women’s categories.
“This meet showed that Zimbabwe swimming is alive, competitive, and building real depth.
“That does not happen by accident,” said Mahobele.
“Behind these results is a coaching programme focused on consistency, race execution, and building a team culture where athletes push each other daily.
“The vision has been simple: get our swimmers to believe they belong on the continental stage, give them the technical and mental tools to race smart, and create an environment where supporting your teammate is as important as your own swim.
“The coaches’ input has been about long-term development, attention to detail in training, and preparing the swimmers to handle pressure.
“That foundation is why we are seeing personal bests, finals being made, records falling, and a squad that genuinely believes more is possible.
“It is a sign that the system is working, and we are just getting started. The potential is visible, and definitely more is lined up for swimming in Zimbabwe,” added Mahobele.
The gold medals came from Anje Van As in the senior women’s 200m butterfly and 100m butterfly and Mikayla Makwabarara in the junior women’s 50m freestyle.
Van As had an exceptional showing as she also claimed silver medals in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley and a bronze in the 50m butterfly.
She also set a national record in the 50m butterfly when touching the wall in 27.66 seconds.
Van As teamed up with Makwabarara, Paige Van Der Westhuizen and Alexis Johnsen to set another record in the 4x100m freestyle relay when posting a time of 3 minutes 52.35 seconds. The team placed second to get a silver medal.
The previous record was 3 minutes 53.55 seconds.
Van Der Westhuizen, also competing in the seniors, got three medals — one silver in the 100m freestyle and two bronze in the 200m individual medley and 50m breaststroke.
On her way to clinching bronze in the 50m breaststroke, she had set a new national record when winning her heat in 33.14 seconds.
Another rising star, Johnsen got silver medals in the 50m and 100m freestyle.
“We are really proud of how the team has performed in Oran, Algeria.
“This shows that our athletes are competing at the level we expect them to on the continent.
“Highlights like national records falling prove that when we step up, we can match and beat the best in Africa,” said Mahobele.
Mahobele expressed gratitude to their stakeholders that came on board to support the team’s participation in Algeria.
“We are also thankful to everyone who has helped us reach these goals — parents, coaches, sponsors and the swimmers themselves for all their hard work and dedication to the sport they love.
“All our athletes are students, whether they are in high school or university. Massive kudos to each of them.”
Zimbabwe also had five of their swimmers — Van As, Van Der Westhuizen, Makwabarara, Johnsen and Paul Mwipikeni — selected to represent Zone IV in the inter-zonal competition.
Van As and Van Der Westhuizen are Olympic hopefuls for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
