Tanzania’s open water swimming standout, Lolita, has reflected on her experience at the Africa Aquatics Open Water Swimming Championship held on June 7 and 8 in Mauritius, describing the competition as both highly competitive and an important learning platform for her sporting career.
Lolita commended the organisers of the championship for delivering a well-coordinated event, saying the preparations met international standards and provided swimmers with a professional environment to showcase their abilities.
She noted that the championship attracted strong athletes from several African countries, making it a valuable test of endurance, strategy, and mental strength.
She said the event offered ideal conditions for athletes to measure their progress against some of the best open water swimmers on the continent, adding that such competitions are crucial in shaping future champions.
“The competition was very good and highly competitive. It gave us a great opportunity to learn a lot and assess our performance against swimmers of different levels from various African countries,” said Lolita.
According to her, competing at that level helped strengthen her confidence while also exposing areas that require improvement ahead of future international assignments.
She added that every race provided new insights into pacing, navigation, and adapting to changing water conditions, which are key elements in open water swimming.
Despite the positive experience, Lolita acknowledged that the team faced several challenges during the championship.
She said the difficulties encountered were important in highlighting gaps in preparation and race management, especially when competing under different environmental and technical conditions.
While she did not specify the exact challenges, she emphasized that such experiences are part of elite sport and should be used as lessons to improve future performance.
She said the team is already working on reviewing their preparation strategies to ensure better results in upcoming regional and global competitions.
Lolita further stressed the importance of continuous participation in international events, saying exposure to high-level competition is essential for improving performance, building resilience, and enhancing tactical awareness.
She noted that consistent engagement in global competitions will not only improve individual athletes but also raise the overall standard of open water swimming in Tanzania, positioning the country more competitively within Africa and beyond.
She concluded by expressing confidence that with stronger preparation, increased exposure, and sustained support, Tanzanian swimmers have the potential to achieve greater success in future championships.
