Five national and several age group records set at National Swimming Championships

The Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation (ABSF) is commending athletes for the high level of athleticism and dedication to the sport displayed at its eighth annual ABSF National Championships which concluded over the weekend. The Federation is also lauding the swimmers who created five new national records and three age group short course records at the event.

Seventy-three swimmers participated in the championships here in Antigua, including five swimmers from Anguilla. They came from five participating clubs: Anguilla’s Aqua Stars, Vipers Swim Club, Wadadli Aquatic Racers (WAR), Antigua Aquatic Club – Storm – and Marlins Swim Club which specialises in open water swimming.

Bianca Mitchell established a national record in the girls 18-and-over age group for the 200 meters breaststroke clocking 2:47.8. She also set an age record for the 200 meters IM at 2:29.22 while Madison MacMillan established a national record for the 200 meters backstroke, coming in at 2:28.31 in the girls 15 to 17 age group.

Tivon Benjamin set a national record in the boys 15 – 17 age group completing the 800 meters free style swim in 9:01.48.  An age record was set by Anya DeGannes for the 200 meters butterfly and 100 meters free style races in the 11 to 12 age group.Ellie Shaw who recently returned home from an impressive performance at the World Aquatic Championships in Doha, Qatar, created two national records on the weekend. She clocked in 2:27.3 in the 200 meters IM and 32.58 in the 50 meters breaststroke, in the girls 15 to 17 age group. In Doha, Ellie Shaw achieved an exceptional time of 32.73 in the women’s 50 meters breaststroke, long course. She is the second Eastern Caribbean woman to better the 33 seconds barrier. Aunjelique Liddie also achieved a historic result at the World Aquatic Championships in Doha by being the first Antigua and Barbuda athlete to break the one-minute barrier in the 100 free style race. She clocked 59.78 in that long-course race to beat the previous record held by Samantha Roberts, setting a new national record.  

Our overall high point awardees at the 8^th Annual ABSF National Championship were:

8 and under Girl

1^st Isabel Nicholas

2^nd Hanna Gauducheau

8 and under Boys

1^st Jalen Weste

2^nd Adam Camacho

9 – 10 Girls

1^st Kaylee Warner

2^nd Alyssa Watkins

3^rd Jordin Howell

9- 10 Boys

1^st Christopher Walter

2^nd Zane Williams

11 – 12 Girls

1^st Anya DeGannes

2^nd Keziah Joseph

3^rd Alaysia Liddie

11 – 12 Boys

1^st Jamie Tranter

2^nd Alessandro Bazzoni

3^rd Ny’riq West

13 – 14 Girls

1^st Davina Barton

2^nd Paradise Carlisle

13 – 14 Boys

1^st Reuben Edwards

2^nd Espriit Shaw

3^rd Zahid Derrick

15 – 17 Girls

1^st Ellie Shaw

2^nd Madison MacMillan

3^rd Elianna Spencer

15 – 17 Boys

1^st Manav Sindhi

2^nd Tivon Benjamin

3^rd Naeem DeSouza

18 and over Girls

1^st Bianca Mitchell

2^nd Anisa Lewis

3^rd Kimberlee Warner

18 and over Boys

1^st Yacine Williams

2^nd Zardad Jan

3^rd Osayaba Browne

Medals will be distributed to swimmers who placed first, second and third in the various events by the clubs’ coaches on behalf of the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation.

Meanwhile USA-based swimmer Alandra Dublin set a national record in the 200 meters freestyle category while participating at the 2024 MR West Metro Silver Chaps Central (short course yards). Dublin, who competed in the 15 to 17 age group category completed the 200 meters freestyle swim in 2:04.13 and also set an age record in the 200 meters breaststroke at 2:40.27.

The Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation is preparing to name its squad for the CARIFTA Games to be held in the Bahamas March 28 to April 7.