Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s rising swimming star Nicolene Viljoen has announced herself on the international stage after delivering a remarkable performance at the just-concluded Dubai Open Swimming Championships held at the Hamdan Sports Complex in the United Arab Emirates.
The 14-year-old swimmer from Riptide Swim Club produced an outstanding display, setting five new Tanzania national records across different events, a feat that underlines her growing reputation as one of the country’s most promising young athletes.
According to team manager Keir Teggisa, Nicolene’s achievements came under the guidance of head coach Karl-Heinz Klenz, whose technical input and preparation played a key role in the swimmer’s success at the highly competitive meet.
Teggisa revealed that Nicolene clinched a bronze medal in the 200-metre Individual Medley after clocking an impressive time of 2:34.22. The performance not only earned her a podium finish but also set a new national record, surpassing the previous mark of 2:34.57 held by Crissa Dilip.
Her record-breaking spree continued in the 200m Butterfly, where she touched the wall in 2:42.05.
The new time erased her own previous national record of 2:47.42, highlighting her steady improvement and growing confidence at elite level.
Nicolene also rewrote the record books in the 400m Freestyle, finishing in 4:51.09 to break the long-standing national record of 4:58.87, which was previously held by Crissa Dilip.
The performance demonstrated her endurance and tactical awareness over longer distances.
In the 200m Breaststroke, the young swimmer once again rose to the occasion, posting a time of 2:54.27 to set another national record, overtaking the previous mark also held by Crissa.
The result further showcased her versatility across different swimming disciplines.
Completing her remarkable campaign, Nicolene delivered yet another national record in the 400m Individual Medley, where she clocked 5:33.32. The new time improved on her own earlier record of 5:42.55, underlining her consistent progression and competitive maturity despite her young age.
“Nicolene competed in five events and shone in all of them with new national records. This is one of the most outstanding performances we have seen,” said Teggisa, praising the swimmer’s focus and discipline throughout the championships.
The achievements in the UAE mark a major milestone in Nicolene’s development and provide a strong indication of her potential to compete at even higher levels in the coming years.
With continued support from her club, coaches and the national swimming fraternity, Nicolene’s performances are expected to inspire a new generation of swimmers in Tanzania.
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