GILLIANA, LUCAS THE BEST

MBABANE – Youngsters Gilliana Gomes and Lucas Schott are the last swimmers standing in the National Championships.

Following an eventful event, which started late on Friday, Gilliana, 16, accumulated 248 points to be a cut above the rest in the female division. The 14-year-old Lucas annexed 152 points in the pool to win his maiden championship in the boys’ category. The curtain fell on the championship, staged at Sifundzani Primary School, in Mbabane, yesterday.

Visiting Chad Hawley from South Africa had the most number of points but organisers clarified the award for being the overall winner was open to the country’s swimmers. Hawley got 197 points. Meanwhile, Lucas was thrilled on leaving a mark, saying he was honoured to make a podium finish in his first appearance.

"I didn’t expect to win. I trained hard ahead of the event. I’m happy to improve my time in the 50 metres butterfly from 37 to 35 seconds," the Sharks youngster said.

"I’m putting a lot of hard work and I’m happy to have won again," said Gilliana. Both swimmers swept the boards, getting gold and silver medals in countless events that included the tough 50 metres freestyle.

Swaziland National Swimming Association (SNSA) President Berger Nxumalo was all smiles on the success of the festivities, thanking sponsors, Royal Swazi and Nedbank Swaziland for coming on board. He said at least 180 swimmers, that included visitors from Mozambique and South Africa were part of the championships.

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