5 Tanzanian junior swimmers ready for African competition
One of the country’s renowned swimming coaches, Thobias Mwangunga (right), exchanges ideas with fellow coaches during a recent event. Mwangunga, who also serves as the head coach of FK Blue Marlins, will lead five Tanzanian junior swimmers at the upcoming African Junior Swimming Championships, scheduled to take place in Cairo, Egypt, from April 30 to May 4 this year. PHOTO | courtesy
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is set to be represented by five promising swimmers at the upcoming African Junior Swimming Championships, scheduled to take place from April 30 to May 4 in Cairo, Egypt.
The swimmers are Romeo Mihaly Mwaipasi, Christian Fernandes, Bridget Heep, Aliyana Kachra, and Aminaz Kachra.
According to the team’s head coach, Thobias Mwangunga—who also coaches at FK Blue Marlins Swimming Club, the swimmers are currently engaged in an intensive training programme in preparation for the continental competition.
“We’ve been working on sharpening their techniques, endurance, and race strategies. The swimmers are in good form and ready to make the country proud,” said Mwangunga. He said that this championship will be an important step in the swimmers’ development, offering them a platform to compete against some of Africa’s top junior swimmers. He explained that Bridget, one of the team’s most versatile swimmers, will compete in six events: the 50m and 100m breaststroke, 50m butterfly, 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 200m individual medley.
Mwangunga described her as a fast-improving swimmer who continues to gain confidence in multiple strokes.
Aliyana Kachra will take part in five races—50m and 100m backstroke, 50m and 100m freestyle, and the 200m freestyle—while Aminaz Kachra will also compete in five events: 50m backstroke and butterfly, 100m backstroke and butterfly, and the 200m freestyle. On the boys’ side, Christian Fernandes will swim in six events: 50m butterfly, freestyle, and breaststroke, as well as 100m freestyle, breaststroke, and butterfly. He is considered a strong sprint contender for the team.
Romeo Mihaly Mwaipasi, who has impressed in previous national events will compete in seven events. His lineup includes 50m and 100m backstroke, 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke, and the 200m individual medley. Mwangunga also said that all five swimmers will compete in the 4x50m Mixed Freestyle Relay and the 4x50m Mixed Medley Relay. “All our swimmers are eager to gain valuable international exposure, learn from other elite junior athletes, and proudly represent Tanzania on the continental stage,” said Mwangunga.
The African Junior Swimming Championships bring together top swimmers from across the continent and provide a vital platform for developing future swimming stars.
