![Top swimming prospect Luca Fraser. [File Pic]](https://www.eswatiniobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/480556087_601045709565256_9096755371277425465_n.jpg "480556087_601045709565256_9096755371277425465_n")
SWIMMING – ESWATINI’S swimming star Luca Fraser delivered a series of outstanding performances at the Cathy Doyle Long Course Championship held at the St Stithians Aquatic Centre in South Africa last weekend.
The competition served as a crucial build-up to next month’s Africa Games in Angola, where Fraser is set to compete against the continent’s finest young athletes.
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Across four days, Fraser produced consistent and competitive results that underline his readiness for the continental stage. His campaign began in emphatic fashion on November 27, powering to victory in the 50m breaststroke with a time of 31.59, bettering his previous record of 32.31 seconds.
He followed this with another dominant swim in the 200m breaststroke the following day, touching first in 2:42.25.
Day three tested his versatility as he took on two contrasting events.
The Pelicans Swimming Club athlete completed the 50m backstroke in 32.42 to place sixth, before securing a commendable fifth place in the demanding 200m Individual Medley, clocking 2:33.19.
He closed the meet on a high with a strong second-place finish in the 100m breaststroke, registering 1:11.93.
Fraser’s coach, Meluleki Simelane, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made ahead of the Africa Games, emphasising the swimmer’s growing maturity and technical refinement.
“The preparation has been progressing very well. Fraser has remained focused and disciplined throughout his training programme, and we are pleased with the improvements he continues to show,” Simelane said. He also acknowledged the vital support of Fraser’s parents, crediting their commitment as a key factor in the athlete’s development.
Simelane highlighted that recent training has concentrated on stroke efficiency, race pacing, starts, turns, strength building, and underwater work—core elements required for success at international level.
“What we saw was very encouraging. Luca handled himself well, showed strong improvements, and demonstrated that he can rise to the level required for international competition,” he said.
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