The trio of Tori Dawe, Mikayla Makwabarara and Bjorn Mhlanga are expected to represent Zimbabwe at the global competition targeting young swimmers between the ages of 14 and 18 years. The event is due to take place from September 4 to 9.
The three swimmers have been working with their coaches in their respective bases. Bjorn trains in South Africa while former Highlands swimmer Makwabarara is now based in the UK and Dawe has been working with her coach at Spartans club.
Zimbabwe Swimming chairperson Zanele Nkomazana said they hope the swimmers will utilise the opportunity as they compete at the world stage.
“This is a very important competition for swimmers aged 14-18 years and it allows the emerging stars to compete at a world stage for the first time. A lot of stars have emerged from these championships and we certainly hope our juniors will use this opportunity wisely.
“The coaches reports indicate that these athletes have been preparing well for the event.
“Bjorn trains with Waterborne in South Africa under coach Peter Williams. Mikayla was a Highlands swimmer and joined Dean Price briefly in South Africa before leaving for the UK, and Tori trains under Lindsy Tudor Cole at Spartans.
“As Zimbabwe Swimming we have given them all the support they deserve. Unfortunately, the funding was and is still falling short as Israel is very expensive,” said Nkomazana.
All the three swimmers will compete in 50m and 100m freestyle.
Mhlanga, who is 17 years old and the highest Aqua Points ranked swimmer in the team will also compete in 200m freestyle, 50m and 100m butterfly
While 15-year-old Makwabarara will also take part in the 50m and 100m butterfly. Dawe will also be up for competition in 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke. Despite the financial challenges, Nkomazana remains hopeful of the event. This is the third major event, Zimbabwe Swimming is fielding athletes having sent a four-member team to the World Aquatics Championships in July, in Japan.
The team was made up of Donata Katai, Paige Van Der Westhuizen, Denilson Cyprianos and Liam Davis.
From the World Championships Cyprianos, who is based in the United States, joined Nomvula Mjimba, also based in the US, for the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games in China, staged between July and August. It was the first time they had their swimmers participating at the Games.
With the juniors set for the World Junior Championships, Nkomazana said they were grateful for the opportunities as they seek to grow the sport.
“We are so grateful for the various international competitions that our federation has been invited to.
“We have also worked hard to fulfil all the spots offered to us. Zimbabwe Swimming family has worked tirelessly in administering, coaching, technical, marketing and most importantly parental support in making these events possible.
“Many thanks to ZOC (Zimbabwe Olympic Committee) for their financial support as we prepare for Paris 2024.
“The sport of swimming in Zimbabwe is growing at all levels from grassroots to high performance. The records are being broken – times continuously improve, the numbers are growing.
“We are training and educating our parents about the sport and its opportunities. Teamwork will help our athletes realise their dreams.
“FISU Games were the most successful Games we have ever been to… Top class all round. “Our athletes met and competed with the world’s best university athletes. We are definitely sending a bigger team to Germany in 2025,” said Nkomazana.
The team will be accompanied by Masi Takaedza, who will serve as coach and manager for this tour.
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