Swimming

MBABANE – Eswatini has secured more medals at the ongoing XXI Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championships, which are being held in the country.

The host nation’s medal count increased by three on the second day of the championships, which features 12 countries. This follows Chadd Ning’s gold medal win on Wednesday in the 200 metres breaststroke.

Reigning Junior Sportsman of the Year Luca ‘GD6’ Fraser and current Sportswoman of the Year Hayley ‘Mshina’ Hoy secured a bronze and a silver medal, respectively.

Fraser was the first to get a medal yesterday, finishing third in the boys’ 200m breaststroke 15-16 age category with a time of 02:30 minutes. Not only did this performance earn him a medal, but it also set a new personal best.

Speaking after the event, Fraser thanked those who have supported his growth in the sport, particularly his parents. ‘GD6’ also credited his success to the intensive training he underwent in South Africa in the lead-up to the games.

“I’m really excited about this achievement as it rewards my hard work, even though the competition was tough,” he said. “It also serves as a motivation to continue working hard, and I’m proud to have won a medal on home soil.”

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8 new records for Team Eswatini

MONENI – The African Aquatics Zone IV Swimming and Open Water Championships host, Eswatini, has recorded eight new records at the ongoing regional flagship event.

These records mainly covered day one and part of yesterday’s  morning session. The record breakers included Josea Potgieter, Hay ‘Mshina’ Hoy, Luca ‘GD6’  Fraser, as well as Simanga Dlamini. They varied among the Zone IV Games to national and age category records.

 The records were shared by Team Eswatini Manager Illana George.

Meanwhile, Head Coach Welcome Nhlabatsi has expressed overall happiness with perfomance of Team Eswatini.

“We did well, we missed a few medals we were hoping for (on the first day), especially with the 50m breaststroke, but we still secured a gold medal which we are excited about,” the Eswatini 2023 Coach of the Uear said. Nhlabatsi was confident that more medals would be won with still three competition days days.

With some athletes, he was excited for the relays, personal best (PBs) finish times recorded and congratulated all those who shook off some seconds in their events.

Meanwhile, his assistant Baphelele Masilela said the medals being won are confidence boosters for the team.

*Full article available in our publication.

Luca Fraser also bagged a medal, taking Eswatini tally to four medals. (Pics: Nimrod Hlophe)

Swimmer Hayley ‘Mshina’ Hoy won two medals yesterday.