MBABANE- Eswatini’s aquatic contingent has intensified its medal hunt at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with the kingdom’s swimming trio carrying high hopes of finally ending a long-standing podium drought.
Following an encouraging opening push on Saturday, where both Hayley Hoy and Damien de Sousa secured third-place finishes in their respective heats for the 200m and 50m freestyle, the pressure mounts on Sunday, July 26 at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.
Australia-based star Siwakhile Dlamini launches her campaign at 11:36am Eswatini time in the Women’s 100m Freestyle. Dlamini arrives in Scotland with fine pedigree, having clocked a national record of 1:03.87 minutes at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore.
Shortly after, De Sousa returns to the pool at 12:01pm for the Men’s 50m Breaststroke, eager to make amends and advance, before record-breaker Hoy dives in for the Women’s 100m Butterfly at 12:48pm.
Eswatini has competed at the Commonwealth Games since 1970, with legendary boxers Leonard Makhanya (1986) and Simanga Shiba (2006) among those reaping rare medals. With the podium drought continuing in recent editions, the push to deliver has reached fever pitch.
African rivals South Africa and Nigeria have already set the pace on the continent, hoarding six medals apiece by the end of day two. Globally, powerhouse Australia dominates the overall table with an impressive 23-medal haul.
For Eswatini’s dedicated trio, today’s sessions offer the perfect platform to escalate the charge, transform promising heat times into tangible success, and raise the kingdom’s flag high on the global stage.
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