Big challenge to swim team in Doha

Swimming
Seven Namibians will take on the upcoming FINA world championship.
Andrew Poolman
  • 8 Months Ago
The Namibia Aquatic Sports Federation has proudly announced its team of seven swimmers to represent the country at the 2024 FINA World Aquatics Championships in Qatar’s capital Doha.

In the 10 km open water swim, Phillip Seidler (26) will compete in the men’s 10 km marathon which is also an Olympic qualifying event. His competition will take place in the Doha harbour on Sunday morning.

The Swakopmund resident is the most experienced swimmer in the team and will be swimming for a qualification to attend the Paris Olympic Games in the 10 km open water marathon later this year, hopeful of a second appearance following his remarkable 16th position at Tokyo 2021.

• In the men’s 5 km open water swim, Nico Esslinger (18) will represent Namibia. Since 5 km is not an Olympic distance in open water swimming, Nico has reached the highest possible level of competition at the age of 18.

The 5 km men’s open water event will take place in the Doha harbour on Wednesday 7 February.

• Carissa Steyn (16) and Brynne Kinnaird (17) have been selected as the first-ever female Namibian open water swimmers at the World Championships, which is a great achievement for the two teenagers. Their 5 km women’s open water event is Wednesday 7 February.

• Ronan Wantenaar (23) will tackle the world’s swimmers in the pool in 100m breaststroke (11 Feb), 50m breaststroke (13 Feb) and 200m individual medley (14 Feb).

Ronan is an experienced competitor at international level, with B qualifying times in these events. He will be chasing the Paris Olympic qualifying time in Doha, which is his dream.

• Jessica Humphrey (15) with 50m backstroke (14 Feb) and 200m backstroke (16 Feb) and Oliver Durand (16) with 200m freestyle (12 Feb) and 400m individual medley (18 Feb) make up the rest of swimming team.

For both these youngsters, it will be the first time at the World Championships and qualifying at such a young age is certainly remarkable.

Both Humphrey and Durand have been to top level competitions such as World Juniors and Junior Commonwealth Games and will be giving their ultimate best to achieve their highest level yet in each event.

The official opening ceremony will take place on Sunday.