Kimberley swimmer going from strength to strength
JONATHAN Adams (17), a Grade 11 pupil at St Patrick’s College and who trains with the Flamingo Aquatics Swimming Club was the only swimmer from the Northern Cape and Free State that was selected by Swimming South Africa (SSA) to represent South Africa at the Fédération internationale de natation (FINA) or the ‘International Swimming Federation’ World Junior Swimming Championships.
However, in February this year, FINA cancelled the eighth World Junior Swimming Championships that was scheduled to take place in Russia due to the imminent war at that stage.
FINA later decided to change the venue to the world class VIDENA Aquatic Stadium in Lima, Peru.
This swimming championship took place over six days from August 30 to September 4 this year. It was open to competition for girls 14 to 17 years old and boys aged 15 to 18 years old. World record holder in the Freestyle events, David Popovici from Romania, was also present at the competition.
Jonathan competed in the 50m Freestyle and Backstroke events on September 1 and the 100m Freestyle event on September 3. He competed very well in these events, swimming personal best times and narrowly missing out on a semi-final in the 50m Freestyle event by a mere 0.17s.
Jonathan says that he is satisfied with his performance and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of competing against the world’s best.
He took the opportunity to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to all the Kimberley sponsors that made this memorable experience possible.
But there will be no rest for the young swimmer. The next gala on the calendar will be the Flamingo Aquatics Club gala that is taking place Karen Muir on October 7-8.