6 days ago
6
THE AQUATIC Sports Association of Jamaica has named eight swimmers, four boys and four girls, to represent the island at the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships set to begin today in Romania.
The World Junior Championships will begin today and run through to August 24 at the Aquatics Complex in Otopeni, Romania.
Jamaica’s contingent will be led by head coach Kafia Rapley and team manager Maria Macpherson.
Speaking ahead of the competition, Rapley said the global age-group championships is yet another important event for Jamaica’s next generation of athletes.
“This is another important step on their journey to the top,” Rapley said.
“These athletes are dedicated, focused, and have been putting in the hard work day after day. Now, it’s time to see that work come full circle.”
The competition comes just months after the 2025 Carifta Swimming Championships, where the eight athletes also competed.
Among the girls, Jamaica will be represented by Carolyn Levy Powell, who captained the 2025 Carifta team and earned seven gold medals.
Powell also holds three national age-group records and will be key to the squad’s performance.
She will be joined by Christanya Shirley, who holds eight national junior records, three-time Carifta medallist Leah Chin, and four-time Carifta medallist Alexandria Cogle.
Chin will be competing at her first junior international meet following her impressive performances at the domestic and regional levels.
Among the boys will be Brady Lewison, the well-experienced swimmer, who is expected to lead through his performances.
Lewison has represented the island at the Goodwill Swimming Championships, Carifta Swimming Championships and the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Confederation Championships.
Lewison also holds 12 individual junior records and earned six medals at this year’s Carifta Swimming Championships.
Also on the team’s roster is 2025 Carifta captain Benjamin Davis, Noland Barrett, who holds five national junior records, and Walden McIntosh.
Barrett and McIntosh will also be making their debut at the World Junior Championships.
Team manager Macpherson said the competition is crucial for the development of Jamaica’s junior athletes.
“Representing Jamaica at the World Junior Swimming Championships is more than just a competition, it’s a defining opportunity for our young athletes to grow, learn, and compete on the world stage,” she said.
“These meets are where future champions are shaped, and many of the swimmers competing here will go on to become Olympians. This is a chance for our top young athletes to test themselves against the best, gain invaluable experience, and proudly carry the Jamaican flag among the world’s elite.”
English (US) ·