WILLEMSTAD – Five young swimmers from Curaçao have qualified for the 39th CARIFTA Swimming Championships, which will take place in Martinique in early April.
The annual regional competition will bring together the Caribbean’s top young swimming talents. The 2026 edition is scheduled to be held from early April in Martinique and is considered one of the most important youth swimming events in the Caribbean.
In the coming weeks, the Curaçao swimmers will intensify their preparations under the guidance of head coach Reginaldo Brizuela Gonzalez. Training sessions will focus on improving technique, speed, strength and mental resilience ahead of the championship.
The national team representing Curaçao consists of Gabrielle Johannes Maduro, Lia Pollitt, Naree Esterga, Ian van Dijk and Sebastian Marcano. The athletes will compete in various age categories during the tournament.
For the Curaçao swimming federation, this year’s participation is particularly special because three swimmers will make their debut at the regional championships. Naree Esterga, Ian van Dijk and Sebastian Marcano will compete in CARIFTA for the first time.
Team members Lia Pollitt and Gabrielle Johannes Maduro have previously participated in the CARIFTA Championships, where they reached finals and won medals. Their experience at the international level is expected to strengthen the team as it prepares to face strong competition from across the Caribbean.
The CARIFTA Swimming Championships have long served as a key platform for developing young athletes in the region and often mark the first major international competition for many Caribbean swimmers.