Joachim grabs gold in Canada swimming championships

St Vincent and the Grenadines swimmer Alexander Joachim competed at 2017 Thunderbolts May Grand Prix Swimming Championships, held at the Canada Games Complex in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, from May 26 to 28, 2017. The Grand Prix featured in excess of 380 swimmers, representing 15 swim clubs from Canada and the USA.

Alex emerged as the overall age group champion in the age 13 to 14 category. He is the only male Vincentian swimmer to be a multiple medallist at CARIFTA and also a multiple medallist at the Caribbean Championships (CISC). This was Alex’s second outing, competing at a major Canadian swimming championships. He had great success in his previous event, where he swam as a 13-year-old. This Thunder Bay Grand Prix is his first swim competition after turning 14 year old; he swam and competed in the 13 to 14-year-old age category.

Alexander competed in eight individual races and as part of a relay team in two additional events and qualified for the finals in all of his events. Setting six personal best times, Alex broke three SVG records, previously held by Nikolas Sylvester and Shane Cadogan.

He won a total of seven individual medals and two relay medals. Included in his medal haul were eight gold medals and one silver medal. Alexander’s individual results were:

o Overall swim champion in the age 13 to 14 category, amassing over 340 points.

o 200 metre Freestyle – 5th place; 2 minutes, 13.48 seconds – Personal Best (PB) time.

o 100 metre Butterfly – gold medal; 1 minute, 4.97 seconds – Personal Best (PB) time and new SVG record.

o 50 metre Freestyle – silver (2nd) medal; 27.52 seconds. PB time.

o 200 metre Individual Medley – gold medal; 2 minutes, 27.58 seconds – PB time and new SVG record.

o 100 metre Breaststroke – gold medal; 1 minute 16.36 seconds.

o 200 metre Freestyle Relay – gold medal. Alex swam the 50 metre last leg of the relay in a time of 26.98 seconds.

o 200 metre Butterfly – gold medal; 2 minutes 25.48 seconds – PB time and new SVG record.

o 200 metre Breaststroke – gold medal; 2 minutes 45 seconds

o 100 metre Freestyle – gold medal; 59.98 seconds. PB time.

o 200 metre Medley Relay – gold medal; Alex swam the 50m Butterfly leg of the race.

Black Sands Swim Squad and SVG national swim coach Kyle Dougan said, “Alex’s performances are a terrific example for the other young developing swimmers in SVG. He shows what hard work, dedication and discipline can achieve. Alex is a leader in the pool and we look forward to seeing him continue to improve.”