Namibia's swimmers chase another Dakar final
Namibia's four swimmers will look to secure another final appearance at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, with seven more heats scheduled between today and Friday.
Roselinda Matyayi has led the country’s efforts after qualifying eighth-fastest for Sunday’s women’s 200m backstroke final in 2:28.78, before finishing eighth in 2:29.41.
According to Africa Aquatics, she was the only African swimmer to reach the final, making her achievement Namibia’s standout swimming performance so far.
Madison Bergh also secured eighth place overall in the women’s 400m freestyle in 4:37.03, with the event decided on times across heats rather than a separate final.
Bergh subsequently finished 31st overall in Monday’s women’s 100m freestyle in 1:01.40.
Meanwhile, Nathan Bock recorded Namibia's highest placing in the men’s events, finishing 14th overall in the 100m freestyle in 52.70, while Lorenzo Esterhuizen placed 18th in the 100m butterfly in 58.81.
Latest performances
Tuesday saw Matyayi clock 1:08.41 to finish fifth in her women’s 100m backstroke heat, while Esterhuizen finished fourth in his men’s equivalent in 59.51.
Bock completed the day’s programme with a sixth-place finish in his men’s 100m breaststroke heat in 1:07.87. None of the three progressed to their respective finals.
Seven more heats
Matyayi returns today for the women’s 50m butterfly at 13:00 Namibian time, followed by Bock in the men’s event at 13:13.
Tomorrow’s programme features Matyayi in the women’s 50m backstroke at 12:10, Esterhuizen in the men’s equivalent at 12:18 and Bock in the men’s 50m breaststroke at 12:46.
Bergh will contest Friday’s women’s 200m freestyle at 12:08, before Esterhuizen takes on the men’s 200m butterfly at 12:45.
