MAPUTO – Swim Lab Eswatini signed off their season in spectacular fashion, returning from the Winter City Championships in Mozambique with a massive haul of silverware.
The three-day gala, which concluded on Sunday, saw a 23-strong squad that included two veteran Masters swimmer demonstrating clinical form in the pool.
The Eswatini-based club put on a masterclass of technique and endurance, with swimmers consistently hitting the wall in podium positions across various disciplines. The team’s performance was anchored by both the next generation of ‘water babies’ and seasoned seniors preparing for continental duty.
All eyes were on Damien de Sousa, who used the meet as a vital tune-up for the upcoming Junior and Senior African Championships in Algeria. De Sousa was in blistering form, claiming gold in both the 200m and 50m Breaststroke, alongside bronze in the 100m Freestyle. He was also instrumental in the relay events, helping the men’s 18 and over team secure two silvers in the 200m medley and 4x50m Freestyle.
The talent conveyor belt at Swim Lab was on full display through eight-year-old Guy Wolverson. Despite his age, Guy punched well above his weight, bagging golds in the 50m and 100m Freestyle. He also proved his versatility by taking silver in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke and contributing to a gold-winning effort in the boys 11-12 Freestyle relay. Tsailin also emerged as a standout performer, remarkably medalling in almost every discipline he entered, including a gold in the 50m Breaststroke and silvers in the 100m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly and 100m Breaststroke. Head Coach Welcome Nhlabatsi expressed his pride in the squad’s performance as they head into the off-season.
“This was a competition we wanted to use to close our season as a club. Our swimmers did very well. Now, we will be starting our 12-week winter programme, which is strictly three months of training with no competitions,” said Nhlabatsi.
The coach also extended his gratitude to the travelling contingent.
“A big thank you to the parents who travelled all the way to Maputo. The support was amazing. We encourage parents who want their kids to join the club; this is the right time to do so.”
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