The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association’s (GASA) annual Republic Anniversary Swimming Championships splashed off yesterday at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.
Many of the swimmers began their quest to qualify for the team to represent Guyana at the Carifta Games to be held in Jamaica in March.
On Friday, the distance swimmers took on the challenge of the 1500m freestyle during the morning session, along with the 200m backstroke. In the 1500m freestyle event, two swimmers took to the pool. Noel Culpepper and Daniel Claxton. Swimming in the boys 13-14 age group was Claxton who finished the race in a time of 33:20:22. Culpepper, swam his race in the boys 18 and over age group and finished in a time of 26:18:62.
The other event for the morning was the 200m backstroke. Dorado Swim Club’s Monique Watson was the only girl to swim for the 11-12 age group. She completed the race in a time of 3:10:80. In the male category, Raekwon Noel, representing Swim Academy Sea Otters, took the gold, in a time of 2:51:09. Noel won the race ahead of Dorado’s Vladimir Woodroffe (3:00:44) and Elliott Gonsalves (3:21:57).
In the girls’ 13-14 age group, Donna Carter registered the fastest time in 3:08:12, finishing ahead of Dorado club mate Giselle Crane’s 3:17:11. Dolphin Swim Club’s Sekhel Tzedeq, was the only boy to swim the 200m backstroke race. He finished in a time of 2:44:37.
The only girl in the 18 and over age group, Xiomara Getrouw of Orca Swim Club, completed the race in a time of 2:51:25.
The competition continues today at the National Aquatic Centre, with swimmers taking to the blocks in the 800m freestyle, 200m breaststroke, 200m individual medley (IM), 50m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and the 400m freestyle events.
