Ouagadougou: The Nongtaaba club from Ouagadougou achieved a remarkable victory on Saturday during the 18th edition of the Lake Bam freestyle crossing, securing the top spot through the exceptional performance of its swimmer, Yassim Sawadogo. The competition, contested over a 1 km distance, saw Sawadogo emerge as the winner.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the event was organized by the Burkina Faso Aquatic Federation and attracted 31 athletes from various clubs, including SONABEL, BPS Koudougou, RAN, Exocet, Bobo, Proswimmer, and Kongoussi. Among the participants were four female swimmers, who showcased their endurance and technique on the waters of Lake Bam.

Sixteen-year-old Yassim Sawadogo completed the race in 16 minutes and 38 seconds, narrowly edging out Irfan Bamba, who finished in 16 minutes and 47 seconds. Sawadogo expressed his delight at outperforming older competitors and urged his peers to dedicate themselves wholly to swimming. "Swimming is not easy. It requires a lot of perseverance and training. It is by working regularly that one progresses and develops a love of the sport," he advised.

In the women's category, St©phanie Guigma, also from the Nongtaaba club, secured the first position with a time of 16 minutes and 48 seconds, followed by Malaika Kabor©, who finished in 19 minutes and 10 seconds. Participating for the first time, Guigma expressed satisfaction with her experience, stating, "It's been a great experience for me. I really enjoyed this competition and I encourage my friends to take an interest in it."

The top three winners in each category were awarded 50,000 FCFA, 40,000 FCFA, and 30,000 FCFA respectively. Additionally, the fourth-place female participant received an encouragement prize of 10,000 FCFA. The president of the Burkina Faso Aquatic Federation, Ousmane Tiendr©b©ogo, extended his congratulations to the participants and organizers for the successful execution of the event.