Zarek Wilson, Nikoli Blackman show early form at Carifta swimming

ZAREK Wilson and Nikoli Blackman demonstrated early form when the 2023 Carifta swimming Aquatic Championships began at the Korsou Sports Centre and Pool, Curacao on Thursday.

Wilson and Blackman showed their class in the boys 50m 15-17 backstroke heats. Wilson was first overall in 26.61 and Blackman was second in 26.90 as the pair stormed into the final. Giovanni Rivas also advanced finishing eighth fastest in 28.71.

Wilson and Blackman continued their strong start at the championships in the boys 100m 15-17 butterfly preliminary round. Wilson and Blackman tied for first place in 55.39.

In the girls 200-metre 15-17 breaststroke event, Zoe Anthony ended sixth in 2:56.22 to advance to the final. Adara Stoddard of Barbados had the fastest time in the heats with a time of 2:46.81.

TT had an impressive performance in the boys 200m 13-14 breaststroke preliminaries, Liam Roberts finished first in 2:35.81 and team-mate Anpherne Bernard ended third in 2:37.61 to book spots in the final.

In the boys 50m 13-14 backstroke, TT swimmers Liam Carrington (27.78), Darren Belfon (29.02) and Christiano Rivas (29.54) finished first, third and fifth respectively to seal places in the final.

Aaron Siewlal ended second in the boys 100m 11-12 butterfly heats in 1:08.99 to progress and Belfon continued his form clocking 1:01.05 to finish third in the boys 100m 13-14 butterfly.

In the boys 4X100m 13-14 freestyle relay heats, TT clocked 3:56.68 which was fast enough for third place. Aruba had a strong quartet stopping the clock in 3:51.66 and Bahamas ended second in 3:55.52.

The TT 4x100m 15-17 boys team ended second in 3:39.23 to advance in their age group. Finals were held after press time on Thursday.

The meet continues on Friday at 9 am.