Luanda: Angolan swimmer Lia Lima clinched the gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly event with a time of 1:05.08 at the International Championship held at the Alvalade swimming pool. Lima’s victory confirms her status as a top contender in the competition.
According to Angola Press News Agency, Lima showcased her prowess by outperforming compatriot Carlota Silva, who finished with a time of 1:10.32, and Mozambique’s Marta MPfumo, who clocked 1:12.89. This victory comes on the heels of Lima’s silver medal win in the 200-meter butterfly at the 2024 African Championships, also hosted in Angola.
In addition to Lima’s triumph, the national women’s team delivered commendable performances. Veteran swimmer Maria Freitas claimed gold in the 200-meter medley with a time of 2:32.38. Lima secured second place in the same event with a time of 2:38.59, while Stephanie Jurado earned the bronze with 2:41.73.
On the penultimate day of the competition, Angolan swimmer Nhara Fernandes excelled in the 200-meter breaststroke, finishing first with a time of 2:50.28. Fernandes edged out Maria Freitas, who came in second with a time of 2:51.14, and Zambia’s Johanna Coates, who took third place with 2:56.19.
In the men’s events, Santiago dominated by winning gold in the 100-meter butterfly with a time of 1:04.77 and the 400-meter freestyle in 4:27.37. His victories contributed to his personal tally of six gold medals.
The medal standings reveal Angola in second place with a total of 43 medals, comprising 12 gold, 12 silver, and 19 bronze. Namibia leads the standings with 14 gold, seven silver, and four bronze medals. South Africa’s B team holds third place with five gold, five silver, and one bronze medal.
Clube N¡utico da Ilha de Luanda (CNIL) ranks fourth with 16 medals, including four gold, eight silver, and four bronze. Portugal follows in fifth place with three gold and four silver medals. Mozambique is sixth, securing two gold, two silver, and five bronze medals, while Zambia’s team is seventh with one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.
Onda Sport Clube is eighth with two medals, one silver and one bronze, Clube Barracudas de Luanda is ninth with two bronze medals, and 1.º de Agosto rounds out the top ten with one bronze medal.
The International Championship, which celebrates 50 years of Angola’s independence achieved on November 11, 1975, will conclude on Sunday.