By RONALD CHAWE –
ZAMBIA won three medals at CANA Zone IV Swimming Championships first day taking place at Beau Bassin, in Mauritius yesterday.
The three medals won, were in 800 metres freestyle Under-14 and Under-15 boys and girls categories, while the third medal was won in 50 metres breaststroke boys Under-12 category.
In the Under-14 girls’ category, Zambia’s young sensational swimmer Fleur Donke minted silver for the country, after she timed 10 minutes:00.80 dots, two seconds shorter for gold, which was grabbed by Grasselli Barni Nicole of the Seychelles.
A winner timed 10 minutes and 78 dots in this tightly contested race and in a distant third place was Naidoo Melodie of the host nation, who managed 10 minutes, four seconds and 26 dots to take home a bronze medal.
The young swimmer, who is also team Zambia vice-captain, broke her national record.
A second medal, for the country came in the Over-15 boys’ category with Tom Donker breaking his national record by timing eight minutes, 59 seconds and 73 dots to grab a bronze for the country.
The race was won by Pinotes Pedro of Angola, who managed eight minutes, 34 seconds and 68 dots to grab a gold medal.
A silver medal was won by a Mozambique Mogne Igor, after he managed eight minutes, 49seconds and 56 dots.
Another Zambian in this race Mathew Shone finished 13th with 10 minutes, 38 seconds and 91dots.
Meanwhile, Bosse Adam and Du Toit Staphanus were eliminated in the preminaries.
The third medal for Zambia came in the 50 metres breaststroke men Under-12 category and it was won by Moosa Tyrone with 36.39seconds timing.
His Fellow Zambian, Rumball Brandon, was fourth in this race with 37.31 seconds, that was won by the host country’s Wong Chap Lan Dylan, who managed 35.84seconds to win gold while his counterpart Tse Pen Ki Ken settled for silver, after he managed 36.39seconds.
In the breaststroke Under-13, 14 and 15 girls category final, Zambian Naidu Harleena and Van Stade Nakitha finished sixth and 20th respectively, with their times at 38.86 and 49.91seconds. The race was won by South Africans, who won gold and blonze while Zambia’s neighbours Zimbabwe settled for silver.
By Press time more swimmers were in action.