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 Sports Reporter

LOCAL swimmers will be hoping to better their times when they compete at the South Africa National Aquatic Championships to be staged in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth).

The meet is scheduled to run from April 8 to 13.

Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Rorke, Mkhuseli Mahobele, Anje Van As, and Alexis Johnsen to be part of the gala.

They are expected to fly out to South Africa this morning.

All the swimmers are from Harare Amateur Swimming.

The trio of Rorke, Mahobele, and Van As qualified for the competition early in the season while Johnsen secured her spot during the South Africa Junior Nationals.

Following a fruitful 2023-2024 season that saw them dominating some of the local competitions, the championships will present them with a more competitive platform as the South Africans are using the meet as an Olympic Qualifier.

Harare Amateur Swimming board member, Nikki Johnsen believes the championships present the swimmers with a more competitive platform as they face some of the best in the region.

“This gala is the South African Olympic qualifier, so they will be competing against the best. The swimmers are all hoping to better their times and qualify for further events,” said Johnsen.

Mahobele is up for competition in 50m and 200m butterfly while Van As will compete in 50m and 200m butterfly, 50m and 400m freestyle. Alexis Johnsen is going for 50m butterfly, 50m, and 200m freestyle in the women’s category.

Rorke, who is the sole representative in the men’s competition will compete in 50m butterfly, 50m backstroke, and 50m freestyle.

Fourteen-year-old Alexis Johnsen was part of the team that took part at the South Africa National Junior Age Group Championships last month.

Leigh-Anne Young is the team manager.

The tour is likely to be the last one for the 2023-2024 season.