MBABANE – Swimming sensation Siwakhile Dlamini has proudly flown the nation’s flag, securing a new national record yesterday morning.
This remarkable achievement came during the ongoing 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
While Eswatini initially faced a challenging start, Dlamini’s performance brought a much-needed boost for the kingdom.
Competing in the 100 metres freestyle, Dlamini clocked an impressive 1:03.87 minutes.
This feat shatters a 26-year-old national record previously held by fellow Eswatini swimmer A.
Gilbertson, set in January 1998, during the Junior Africa Games in Germiston, South Africa, within the 18-24 age group.
Dlamini and Chadd Ning are the sole Eswatini swimmers competing in Singapore. Ning was the first to enter the pool last Saturday, taking part in the 100m breaststroke.
The 19-year-old, a one-time Olympian, finished eighth in a competitive heat two, clocking 1:11.58 minutes from lane two.
That heat was won by a Kenyan swimmer who finished in 1:04.92 minutes, securing a spot in the semi-finals. Only the top two performers from each of the eight heats qualified for the semi-finals.
Ning has one event remaining in the competition, which concludes on Sunday.
On Tuesday, he competed in the 50m breaststroke, finishing fourth in Heat Two with a time of 31.62 seconds. However, this was not enough to advance to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Dlamini is set to dazzle in the pool once again tomorrow in her 50m freestyle event.
It is also noteworthy that the Australia-based swimmer is actively seeking a position in the World Aquatics (WA) Athletes Commission.
The World Aquatics Championships serve as the organisation’s flagship event, bringing together six aquatic disciplines: swimming, water polo, diving, artistic swimming, open water swimming and high diving.
Over 2 000 competitors from more than 190 countries have gathered in Southeast Asia for the competition, which commenced on July 11.
Leave a comment