New delhi: Namibia’s 15-year-old swimmer, Keila de Oliveira, will take valuable lessons from her debut appearance at the 2025 Toyota World Para Swimming Championships, which concluded in Singapore on Saturday. The championships, hosted by the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC), took place at the OCBC Aquatic Centre from 21 to 27 September 2025. The event marked a historic first for Asia as host of the global para swimming competition.
According to Namibia Press Agency, although De Oliveira was scheduled to compete in the S9 50-metre freestyle heat, she missed the race after arriving late to the call room. Her coach, Diego Kahlari, who remained in Namibia to oversee a swimming gala in Swakopmund, emphasized that the setback serves as an important learning curve for both the young athlete and the technical team. Kahlari described De Oliveira as a determined and resilient young athlete who has shown remarkable growth in skill and mindset over the past year.
The coach explained that De Oliveira forgot her accreditation card in her bag during warm-ups. When asked by officials to retrieve it, she returned minutes late, by which time a new set of officials had already ushered athletes to the starting line. Consequently, she was barred from competing. Kahlari expressed regret for not being able to accompany her, noting that the coach who traveled with her was not fully familiar with the call-room procedures. Nonetheless, he views this experience as a collective learning curve.
Despite the disappointment, Kahlari praised De Oliveira’s commitment to the sport, noting significant technical improvements in her strokes, turns, and endurance. He highlighted her increased confidence in pacing and race strategies and her mental growth, emphasizing her ability to embrace challenges and remain focused despite obstacles. Kahlari also commended De Oliveira as a role model to her peers, inspiring other young swimmers with her dedication and positive attitude, which he believes are as crucial as talent. He expressed pride in her progress and commitment to guiding her journey as both an athlete and a person.