THE national swimming team that represented us at the 2019 CARIFTA Aquatic Championships at the Barbados Aquatic Centre, returned home with a drive to prepare for next year, according to head coach/manager of the side, Haresh Bhagwan.

“The team have returned home humble and motivated as they are all looking towards returning to Barbados next year to represent.”

Team Guyana, led by Aleka Persaud, finished with five medals. The 12-year-old Persaud stormed to three gold and two bronze medals in the 11-12 year-old division. She won gold in the 100m butterfly, the 100m freestyle and the 50m freestyle. She copped bronze medals in the 50m butterfly and the 200m Individual Medley.

Due to her quick times, the youngster qualified for the Caribbean and Central American Championships, scheduled to take place later this year.

Bhagwan said that “first-timers Paul and Patrice Mahaica and Persaud have certainly stood up to the plate and proved that they have indeed earned their spots. Seaton, Noel and Jackson being the more experienced at this competition have returned humble, as the competition was much more intense than they had anticipated”.

The six swimmers battled against swimmers from 22 other nations, during the Easter holiday weekend.