PE swimmer hits gold
● Impressive Cana Zone debut for Bay pupil, 16
After an impressive debut at the Cana Zone Africa Swimming Region Games in Namibia, Cameron Casali has now set his sights on the Junior and Senior SA Swimming Nationals in KwaZulu-Natal in April.
The Port Elizabeth swimmer returned home from Windhoek in Namibia with 10 medals from the event, which took place from February 7-20.
The grade 11 Grey High pupil was also capped with the Victor Ludorum trophy at the gala for his performance.
The accolade is usually presented to the most successful team, club or competitor at a sport event.
Casali, 16, said the 10 medals – six gold, three silver and one bronze – came as a surprise to him.
“It was my first trip to the Cana Zone and I am very excited and happy about my achievement,” Casali said.
“My plan was always to do my best and try to get as many medals as possible – but I think 10 medals came as a shock and an excitement.”
The swimmer said achievement in Namibia would be a huge momentum boost going into the Junior and Senior SA Swimming Nationals which take place in Durban in three weeks’ time.
“I think the Cana Zone was quite a fun experience and racing experience,” he said.
“I will definitely get more momentum going into future tournaments and galas.
“For the upcoming gala I will try my best and hopefully swim a few personal best times and just have fun.”
Casali learnt how to swim at a very young age, and started swimming competitively when he was 10 years old.
The versatile swimmer enjoys breaststroke more than backstroke and freestyle.
“I just enjoy the competition and the racing is definitely the best part for me.
“I would love to take up swimming as a fulltime career,” he said.
A pleased David Glover, who is Casali’s swimming coach, said: “This is an excellent achievement.
“Cameron is lucky because he is good in all the strokes, and he is a hard worker.
“He received medals for the freestyle, individual medley, breaststroke and backstroke.
“This season he has put a lot of effort into [his] swimming.
“He is now training very hard for the Junior SA Swimming Nationals.
“He has never received a medal in that competition.
“I hope things will change this time around and he’ll come back with a medal,” Glover said.