16-year-old smashes national swimming record

A 16-year-old Kweku Addo from the Tesano Sports Club made history on Sunday when he shattered Kofi Anku’s 50m freestyle national swimming record at the University of Ghana swimming pool.

The previous record, 26.69 seconds, was set in 2012 at the same venue. After a breath taking performance in the 50m freestyle, the 16 –year- old swimming prodigy reduced the time to 25.09 seconds.

“This means a lot to me, because just after two years of competitive swimming and hard work I have broken the record,” the softly spoken Kweku Addo said.

When asked about how he was able to achieve this feat, the teenager explained “training has been intensive for the past few weeks and our manager (Kwodwo Abbiw Jackson) really pushed us”.

Abbiw Kwodwo Jackson, Tessano Dolphins Team Manager and coach, foresees a brighter future for the new sensation.

“Kweku is the discovery of the year. I believe he will reduce the time and might be the first Ghanaian to make it to the Olympics (swimming) and possibly the second round,” he added.

The Loya Open Championship was sponsored by Promasidor Ghana in collaboration with the Swimming Association of Ghana, to spot and groom talents for the national swimming squad.

According to the General Secretary of the Ghana swimming Association, Williams Kyei, Kweku Addo and Ophelia Swayne have made the required time to participate in the 4th FINA World Junior championship in Dubai, from 26th August to 31st August, 2013.

“However, Abeiku Gyekye Jackson, 12, and Zenobia Addo, the younger sister of Kweku Addo, are within range of qualification to Dubai; don’t count them out yet,” said William kyei.

Participants in the competition were drawn from Lincoln community school, Tessano Sports club, Association International School and the French school.