Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
AS the Africa Aquatics Zone IV Swimming Championships come to life today at the University of Botswana pool in Gaborone, the focus for Zimbabwean swimmers is not just on medals, but also on exposure and experience to break into bigger stages.
The championships, running until Saturday, present swimmers from Southern Africa with a platform to showcase their talent.
And this year’s edition comes at a time when some of the upcoming swimmers are preparing for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
For Zimbabwe, the likes of Daniella Viki, Alexis Johnsen and Connor Grist will be out not just to chase podium performances but to measure the progress towards the YOG showcase in Senegal.
They were recently in South Africa for a training camp together with Kwandokuhle Nkomazana specifically to work towards the Youth Olympics.
Grist, Viki and Johnsen are now in Botswana for the regional competition.
Viki said she is up for the task.
“I am really excited and prepared to go compete in Botswana.
“Mainly, I am just aiming to drop most of my times and get big PB’s that I can prepare for YOG,” said Viki.
She admits it has not been easy working towards her participation at the Youth Olympics to be held on the African continent for the first time.
“Training has been hard, but I am sure that it’s all going to pay off because I have been consistent and I am hoping for great results.”
The championships is set to give her the needed race practice since the local season has been on a break.
“Zone IV is always a very competitive competition, and there are a lot of African countries, fast countries, and it’s good to compare yourself to others to see if you are improving or not.
“And it’s at the start of the season, so it’s a good way to prepare for the rest of the season,” Viki said.
Jude Moss, who was among the outstanding swimmers at the previous edition in Eswatini, is back for this year’s edition.
Moss, competing in the 11 to 12-year-old boys, last year, 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.
He swam his way to a gold medal in the 50m freestyle in a meet-record time of 26.94 seconds as well. It was the same story in the 100m backstroke, where he posted a time of 1 minute 08.78 seconds.
As he returns to the pool for this year’s competition, his goal is to improve his times.
“I hope this year I get new PBs and at least come top and get some medals, hopefully.
“Preparations have been going well. I have been doing gym and swimming each day of the holidays,” Moss said.
One of the travelling coaches, Earl Joseph, believes the regional event is a stepping stone to major international meets.
