Consul General Henry Mangal welcomes CARIFTA multi-medalist Antoine Destang back to Canada

Saint Lucian athlete Antoine Destang returned to Canada on Wednesday evening after successful participation at the CARIFTA Swimming Championship 2023 and was received by Consul General Henry Mangal and Diaspora Affairs Officer Arletta Walcott-Peter at the airport. The 36ᵗʰ CARIFTA Swimming Championship was held in Curacao.

Antoine Destang became the first 13-14-year-old Caribbean swimmer to swim the 100 free in under 53 seconds. His total achievements at the games included the following:

– 7 gold
– 3 silver
– 3 meet records
– High points 13-14 trophy
– Most FINA Points trophy

The Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto officially congratulated Antoine on his outstanding achievements and for the remarkable progress he has made thus far. He wished him continued success in all his future endeavours.

“Congrats, Antoine! We celebrate with you, your parents Sanovnik and Julie Destang, and the rest of your family,” said the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto.

In June 2019, just under four (4) years ago, as an eleven (11) year old – Grade 6 student of the Montessori Centre, in Rodney Bay, Gros Islet, after returning home from an Invitational Championship hosted by the Barbados Swimming Association, Antoine Destang declared to the Voice Newspaper’s Anthony Debeauville that he was looking at representing Saint Lucia, at the 2024 Olympics, in France.

In December 2021, Antoine broke the Canadian 100 fly record, in the 13-14 age group, with a time of 55.22 seconds, eclipsing the previous record of 55.84 seconds, set by Emil Goin in 1999, 22 years earlier.

In November 2022, out of twenty-six (26) records set at the OECS Swimming Championships, Antoine Destang set seven (7) OECS records and one (1) national record, being the single swimmer with the most records set at the Championships.

And last weekend, just over one (1) year away from his Olympic goal, Antoine Destang blew away his competition in the 13-14 age group and captured seven (7) gold and three (3) silver medals, at the 36ᵗʰ CARIFTA Swimming Championship, in Curacao.