Third Zwe Lespwar: Day one – swimming Plaisance students dominate with 19 gold medals |21 August 2018

Before the official opening of the third Zwe Lespwar yesterday afternoon, swimmers from schools around Seychelles pitted their skills in the swimming pools at Roche Caïman and Plaisance Secondary School dominated the competition, grabbing 19 out of the 22 gold medals.

The students were entered in the 13 years and under, and 14 years and over categories. Four swimmers – Kyle Fred, Khema Elizabeth, Aisha Khan and Tamera Appasamy – won four gold medals apiece.

In the 13 and under category, it was Kyle Fred, Khema Elizabeth and Tamera Appasamy won their gold medals in the 13 years and under category, while Aisha Khan got hers in the 14 years and over group.

Fred dominated in the boys’ 50m freestyle with a time of 33.10 seconds, followed in second place by Hans Radegonde (33.28 seconds) and third was Graham Tirant (41.87 seconds), both from La Digue.

He later took part in the boys’ 50m backstroke which he dominated with a time of 40.78 seconds, with a 13 seconds faster than La Digue’s Richaelle Jacques (53.75 seconds) who was second and in third place was Alen Rosalie (1 minute 01.56 seconds).

Fred was a part of the boys’ 4×50m freestyle relay where he and his team were able to get a decisive win with a time of 2:29.25 seconds, while the La Digue team settled for second spot with a time of 3:03.47.

His fourth gold medal came in the mixed 4×50m freestyle relay where he joined forces with gold medallists Khema Elizabeth, Tamera Appasamy and Tyler Fred to help Plaisance to victory in a time of 2:14.06. La Digue settled for second spot with 3:12.87.

“I feel happy that I could receive all this success. I trained hard, but I’m still not sure if I will continue to go towards other competitions,” said Fred.

Another pride for Plaisance was Khema Elizabeth who dominated the girls’ 50m freestyle in 30.02 seconds while Fumanikile Lungu (36.63 seconds) from Perseverance Secondary School and Corrine Estico (44.06 second) also from Plaisance Secondary School occupied second and third spots respectively.

Elizabeth also took part in the girls’ 50m breaststroke where she was first in 43.57 seconds, once again out swimming Lungu (50.85 seconds) and third placed Zahnellda Antoine (57.00 seconds) from La Digue. She later swam the girls’ 4×50m freestyle relay alongside gold medallist Tamera Appasamy where they ended in first place with a time of 3:05.25 seconds, before joining the party in the mixed 4x50m relay.

“I’m very happy. I tried to do my best and hopefully in the future my time will improve,” said Elizabeth.

Appasamy managed to grab an easy win in the girls’ 50m backstroke, hitting the wall first in a time of 40.75 seconds to finish ahead of teammate Corine Estico (59.18 seconds).

She was the only competitor in the girls’ 50m butterfly where she ended with a time of 39.19 seconds before joining her teammates in the relays.

“I’m just delighted with my achievements today, because I tried and worked hard to get a win,” said Appasamy.

Competing in the 14 years and over group, Aisha Khan won the 50m freestyle (33.38 seconds), 50m backstroke (39.28 seconds), girls’ 4x50m freestyle relay (2:25.78) and mixed 4x50m relay (2:06.62).

“I’m proud of myself as I worked hard and my colleagues also worked very hard,” said Khan.

Plaisance Secondary School physical education instructor Jerry Andrew had this to say:

“The way we did our selection, we expected the most from every swimmer. I also expect a good result in other sports during the Zwe Lespwar because the students have been preparing very well. To conclude, I would just like to keep a surprise for the people watching.”

The following are the results of the top three swimmers in each event:

Girls’ 13 years and under 50m freestyle:

1. Khema Elizabeth – Plaisance – 30.02s

2. Fumanikile Lungu – Perseverance – 36.63s

3. Corine Estico – Plaisance – 44.06s

Boys’ 13 years and under 50m freestyle:

1. Kyle Fred – Plaisance – 33.10s
2. Hans Radegonde – La Digue – 33.28s
3. Graham Tirant – La Digue – 41.87s

Girls’ 13 years and under 50m backstroke:

1. Tamera Appasamy – Plaisance – 40.75s
2. Corine Estico – Plaisance – 59.18s

Boys’ 13 years and under 50m backstroke

1. Kyle Fred – Plaisance – 40.78s
2. Richaelle Jacques – La Digue – 53.75s
3. Alen Rosalie – La Digue – 1 :01.56s

Girls’ 13 years and under 50m breaststroke:

1. Khema Elizabeth – Plaisance – 43.57s
2. Fumanikile Lungu – Perseverance – 50.85s
3. Zahnellda Antoine – La Digue – 57.00s

Boys’ 13 years and under 50m breaststroke

1. Nathan Nagapin – Plaisance – 37.56s
2. Alen Rosalie – La Digue – 1:04.58s

Girls’ 13 years and under 50m butterfly:

1. Tamera Appasomy – Plaisance – 39.19s

Boys’ 13 years and under 50m butterfly:

1. Nathan Nagapin – Plaisance – 31.31s

Girls’ 13 years and under 4×50m freestyle relay:

1. Plaisance – 3:05.25

Boys’ 13 years and under 4×50m freestyle relay:

1. Plaisance – 2:29.25
2. La Digue – 3:03.47

Mixed 13 years and under 4×50m freestyle relay:

1. Plaisance – 2:14.06
2. La Digue – 3:12.87

Girls’ 14 years and over freestyle:

1. Aisha Khan – Plaisance – 33.38s
2. Alicia Pierre – La Digue – 35.81s
3. Marcella Nibourette – La Digue – 45.69s

Boys’ 14 years and over freestyle

1. Bertrand Payet – Independent School – 26.56s
2. Alain Vidot – Independent School – 28.38s
3. Kartigai Moodley – Independent School – 29.25s

Girls’ 14 years and over backstroke:

1. Aisha Khan – Plaisance – 39.28s
2. Yushra Vandagne – La Digue – 44.37s
3. Alicia Pierre – La Digue – 47.68s

Boys’ 14 years and over backstroke:

1. Tyler Fred – Plaisance – 34.31s
2. Damien Payet – Independent School – 34.69s
3. Kieren Bhageerutty – Praslin – 40.25s

Girls’ 14 years and over 50m breaststroke

1. Amy Andre – Plaisance – 43.19s
2. Tahira Appasamy – Plaisance – 44.99s
3. Yushra Vandagne – La Digue – 50.31s

Boys’ 14 years and over 50m breaststroke:

1. Alain Vidot – Independent School – 36.28s
2. Hankel Tirant – La Digue – 46.00s
3. Kieren Bhageerutty – Praslin – 46.43s

  Girls’ 14 years and over 50m butterfly:

1. Amy Andre – Plaisance – 38.13s

Boys’ 14 years and over 50m butterfly:

1. Tyler Fred – Plaisance – 29.35s
2. Bertrand Payet – Independent School – 30.66s
3. Damien Payet – Independent School – 32.31s

Girls’ 14 years and over 4×50m freestyle relay:

1. Plaisance – 2:25.78s
2. La Digue – 2:28.63s

Boys’ 14 years and over 4×50m freestyle relay:

1. Independent School – 1:57.19s
2. Plaisance – 2:22.44s
3. La Digue – 2:31.16s

Mixed 14 years and over 4×50m freestyle relay:

1. Plaisance – 2:06.62s
2. La Digue – 2:43.38s

R. R.