Sinokubonga Nkala
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC) has congratulated the Zimbabwe Swimming Junior Team for its brilliant performance at the Zone IV Swimming and Open Water Championships in Windhoek, Namibia, last week.
Zimbabwe’s budding swimmers had an outstanding outing in the Namibian capital, bringing home a total of 44 medals from one of the biggest junior swimming competitions in the region.
Of the medals won by Zimbabwe’s talented athletes, 11 were gold, 17 silver and 16 bronze.
In a Facebook post, ZOC extended their congratulations to Zimbabwe Swimming following the juniors’ splendid performance at such a prestigious event.
Along the way to their dominance, a number of records were broken.
ZOC described the achievement as a great stepping stone in preparation for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
“Congratulations to Junior Team Zimbabwe for their outstanding performances at the Zone IV Swimming and Open Water Championships in Windhoek, Namibia.
“Special mention to our Girls 15 and over 200m freestyle relay team for winning gold and setting a new Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championship record! Team members: Mikayla Makwabarara, Tafadzwa Chandiwana, Tanatswa Chandiwana and Vhenekai Dhemba.
“We’re beaming with pride for our young athletes! The excitement is building for the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal in 2026! Go Team Zimbabwe,” read the post from ZOC.
Alexis Johnsen kicked off Zimbabwe’s medal count with silver in the Under-14 800-metre freestyle.
Amaranthine Dunkley won gold in the 50m breaststroke with a personal best of 38.51 seconds. Acacia Watson had an incredible run, securing three gold medals. She scooped gold in the 100m backstroke (1:15.53), 50m butterfly, and 50m backstroke.
She also earned a silver medal in the 100m butterfly event. Captain Jayden De Swardt took home gold in the 200m breaststroke.
Quinton Kuraimunashe earned silver in the 200m freestyle, alongside gold in the 50m and 100m freestyles.
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