Seychellois swimmer - best in her category at Ugandan championship

Felicity Passon (left) Best Female swimmer in the 13 - 14 years category in Uganda (Daniel Okwee)

(Seychelles News Agency) - Felicity Passon, Seychelles’ only participant at the12th CANA Zone 3 and 4 short course swimming Championships in Kampala, Uganda did the country proud over the weekend as she emerged best female swimmer in the 13-14 years category.

Out of the nine events she participated in, Passon managed to win an impressive seven gold and two silver medals.

Seychelles' swimming coach Paul Fanchette has described the results as very encouraging.

In a phone interview with SNA this morning, Fanchette said Passon’s performance is a reward for all her efforts over the years especially following her training camp in South Africa.

“What is most important to note is that the good results should make her more determined and motivated to face the sacrifices she has to go through to qualify for the Nanjing Games,” said Fanchette.

Passon has been attending a training camp at the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre in South Africa since February 13.

The training has been planned by the Seychelles Swimming Association with the necessary funding from the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, SOCGA, through its solidarity fund.

It is part of efforts to give Passon maximum exposure to intense training opportunities as well as high level international competitions to help her to make the time and qualify for the 2014 Youth Olympic games, to be held in China, in August 2014.

Passon is trying hard to qualify for the 100 metre butterfly event and her last attempt to get the qualifying time is at the African youth games to be held in Botswana next month.

“Alongside the 100 metre butterfly she also stands a chance in the 50 metre butterfly event as the butterfly is her specialty, but 50 metre freestyle is also a possibility. In fact, it is possible for her to qualify for three or four events, but she stands a better chance at the butterfly events which are her specialty.

Passon’s complete results at the four day championship in Uganda that started Thursday April 24 ended Sunday April 27.

100 metre backstroke - 1m08.90s – Gold Medal

50 metre backstroke - 31.70s – Gold Medal

50 metre butterfly – 28.80s – Gold Medal

100 metre butterfly – 1m05.20 – Gold Medal

50 metre freestyle - 26.80s – Gold Medal

100 metre freestyle – 59.45s – Gold Medal

200 metre Individual medley – 2m33.44s – Gold Medal

800 metre freestyle - 9m44.10s - Silver Medal

200 metre butterfly – 2m.35.50s – Silver Medal

Passon is now heading back to South Africa to resume her training; originally scheduled for one month this has now been extended until after the African Youth games that will take place in Botswana in May.