By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)

Participants of the Sierra Leone Aquatics Water Championship are seen as the country’s top swimming talents at the Freetown Aqua Sports Man of War Bay.

They comprise 28 participants competing for junior, advanced, and elite categories.

This event aimed to identify and nurture a distinguished crop of open water swimmers.

In the junior category, Mohamed Bangura emerged victorious in the 1-kilometer race among the eight contenders.

His success was attributed to persistent training and dedication.

Elizabeth Y. Kamara triumphed in the advanced category, finishing first in the 3-kilometer race against six other competitors.

Her win secured an automatic qualification for the Italy Open Water Competition in September.

Kamara attributed her victory to thorough preparation and emphasized her versatility, stating: “My training for other competitions starts now.”

Olympian Joshua J. J. Wyse dominated the elite category, winning the 5-kilometer race against 12 competitors.

His victory positioned him for his upcoming Olympic appearance in Paris.

The event climaxed with the distribution of certificates in the presence of Sierra Leone Aquatics’ president Mohamed Turay.

Turay congratulated all participants for their skills and encouraged the certificate-bearers to view the awardees of their recognition as a crucial step in their development pathway.