MANZINI, ESWATINI - Team Zambia produced a commendable display of competitive swimming at the XXI Africa Aquatics Zone IV Short Course Championships in Eswatini, securing 14 total medals (6 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 Bronze) and demonstrating the nation's growing aquatic sports development across multiple age categories. The performance showcased both emerging talent and veteran leadership, with several swimmers establishing themselves as regional forces while highlighting the depth and potential of Zambia's national swimming program.
Jade Phiri Emerges as Championship Star
Nineteen-year-old Jade Phiri delivered an outstanding individual campaign that established her as one of the premier swimmers in Zone IV competition, claiming an impressive collection of 4 gold medals and 1 silver medal across freestyle and butterfly events that demonstrated exceptional versatility and competitive maturity.
Phiri's golden achievements included victories in the Girls 17-29 200m Freestyle (2:12.66), Girls 17-29 50m Butterfly (28.99, Championship Record), Girls 17-29 100m Butterfly (1:05.09, Championship Record), Girls 17-29 50m Freestyle (27.20), and Girls 17-29 100m Freestyle (1:00.1), showcasing remarkable range from sprint events through middle-distance competitions across both freestyle and butterfly disciplines.
Her championship records in both butterfly events highlighted exceptional technical proficiency in one of swimming's most demanding strokes, while her freestyle victories demonstrated comprehensive stroke development and race preparation that positioned her among the region's elite performers. Her additional silver medal in the Girls 17-29 200m Individual Medley (2:32.9) showcased remarkable versatility across all four swimming strokes.
Kira Haabazoka Showcases Junior Excellence
Twelve-year-old Kira Haabazoka emerged as Zambia's most promising junior swimmer, delivering breakthrough achievements with 1 gold medal and 2 bronze medals that demonstrated exceptional potential for future development. Her gold medal victory in the Girls 11-12 200m Backstroke (2:46.07) established her as a regional force in her specialty stroke, while additional bronze medals in the Girls 11-12 100m Backstroke (1:14.44) and Girls 11-12 50m Backstroke (34.25) showcased consistent technical excellence across backstroke distances.
Haabazoka's success across 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke events indicated comprehensive stroke development and race strategy preparation that positions her as one of the most promising young swimmers in the region, with her performances suggesting significant potential for continued success as she progresses through age categories.
Natania Chama Provides Sprint Excellence
Fourteen-year-old Natania Chama contributed crucial sprint performances with 2 bronze medals in freestyle events that highlighted her explosive speed and competitive consistency. Her bronze medal achievements in the Girls 13-14 50m Freestyle (27.99) and Girls 13-14 100m Freestyle (1:05.1) demonstrated exceptional sprint capabilities and technical proficiency in swimming's most fundamental stroke.
Chama's consistent performance across both sprint distances indicated advanced training preparation and race tactics that established her as one of the region's premier junior sprint specialists, with her competitive achievements suggesting continued potential for regional success.
Rising Talent Across Multiple Disciplines
Neriah Sitamulaho (13) added to Zambia's medal success with a bronze medal in the Girls 11-14 200m Butterfly (2:55.7), demonstrating technical proficiency in one of swimming's most challenging stroke disciplines. Her achievement in the demanding 200m butterfly highlighted advanced coaching and stroke development within Zambia's junior program.
Marlise Findlay (18) provided senior leadership with a silver medal in the Girls 17-29 50m Backstroke (31.18), showcasing sprint backstroke excellence and contributing crucial points to Zambia's overall medal tally.
Team Relay Success
Zambia demonstrated solid team preparation and relay execution, claiming a silver medal in the Girls 14 & Under 4x100m Medley Relay (5:01.06). The relay performance highlighted program depth and tactical preparation across multiple swimmers, with the team's ability to execute complex stroke transitions and race strategy demonstrating comprehensive coaching and competitive experience.
Multi-Generational Program Development
Zambia's medal success showcased program development across competitive age categories, with medal winners ranging from 12-year-old Kira Haabazoka through 19-year-old Jade Phiri. The technical quality demonstrated by junior swimmers in complex events indicated advancing coaching at developmental levels, while senior athletes provided crucial leadership and competitive experience throughout the championship.
The systematic approach evident in Zambia's results, particularly the concentration of backstroke and butterfly excellence, reflected focused coaching expertise and specialized program development that has positioned swimmers for regional competitiveness.
Championship Records and Technical Excellence
Zambia's championship campaign produced 2 championship record performances, both achieved by Jade Phiri in butterfly events. These records highlighted the advanced technical coaching and systematic skill development within their national program, particularly in stroke specialization requiring precise technique and timing.
The success in technically demanding events such as Individual Medley and butterfly competitions indicated coaching expertise that extends beyond basic stroke instruction to include advanced technical refinement and race strategy preparation.
Zambia Complete Medal Results Table
Total: 14 Medals (6 Gold, 3 Silver, 5 Bronze) | 2 Championship Records
| Event | Swimmer | Age | Time | Medal | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOLD MEDALS | |||||
| Girls 11-12 200 SC Meter Backstroke | Kira Haabazoka | 12 | 2:46.07 | GOLD | - |
| Girls 17-29 200 SC Meter Freestyle | Jade Phiri | 19 | 2:12.66 | GOLD | - |
| Girls 17-29 50 SC Meter Butterfly | Jade Phiri | 19 | 28.99 | GOLD | CR |
| Girls 17-29 100 SC Meter Butterfly | Jade Phiri | 19 | 1:05.09 | GOLD | CR |
| Girls 17-29 50 SC Meter Freestyle | Jade Phiri | 19 | 27.20 | GOLD | - |
| Girls 17-29 100 SC Meter Freestyle | Jade Phiri | 19 | 1:00.1 | GOLD | - |
| SILVER MEDALS | |||||
| Girls 14 & Under 4x100 SC Meter Medley Relay | Zambia Team | - | 5:01.06 | SILVER | - |
| Girls 17-29 50 SC Meter Backstroke | Marlise Findlay | 18 | 31.18 | SILVER | - |
| Girls 17-29 200 SC Meter Individual Medley | Jade Phiri | 19 | 2:32.9 | SILVER | - |
| BRONZE MEDALS | |||||
| Girls 11-12 100 SC Meter Backstroke | Kira Haabazoka | 12 | 1:14.44 | BRONZE | - |
| Girls 11-12 50 SC Meter Backstroke | Kira Haabazoka | 12 | 34.25 | BRONZE | - |
| Girls 13-14 50 SC Meter Freestyle | Natania Chama | 14 | 27.99 | BRONZE | - |
| Girls 13-14 100 SC Meter Freestyle | Natania Chama | 14 | 1:05.1 | BRONZE | - |
| Girls 11-14 200 SC Meter Butterfly | Neriah Sitamulaho | 13 | 2:55.7 | BRONZE | - |
Competitive Depth and Program Potential
Beyond medal winners, Zambia demonstrated significant competitive depth with numerous swimmers achieving solid performances across all events and age categories. The team's consistent participation in relay events and comprehensive event coverage indicated program development that extends beyond individual specialization to include team preparation and tactical racing experience.
The technical achievements in stroke specialties such as backstroke and butterfly, combined with freestyle sprint success, demonstrated coaching expertise across multiple disciplines that provides a foundation for continued program growth and regional competitiveness.
Regional Impact and Future Development
Zambia's 14-medal performance at the XXI Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championships represented meaningful progress in their national aquatic sports development, with the combination of championship records, multi-generational medal success, and consistent competitive performance indicating systematic program advancement.
The breakthrough achievements of swimmers like Jade Phiri and Kira Haabazoka, combined with developing talent across age categories, provided a foundation for sustained regional competitiveness and potential expansion to continental-level participation in future competitions.
Zambia's championship success demonstrated the growing strength of their national swimming program while establishing several swimmers as regional forces, creating momentum for continued development and competitive excellence in Zone IV aquatic sports.
This analysis is based on official championship results from the XXI Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championships held in Manzini, Eswatini, September 3-6, 2025.
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