25/08/2026
THE BAHAMIAN G.O.A.T. EVANS RETURNS TO MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION! JOANNA IS THE CARIFTA REGION’S LEADER IN THE 100 , 200 AND 400 METRE FREESTYLE!
When you ask Bahamians how you spell Joanna Evans they will tell you G.O.A T. And the spelling is correct. Joanna Evans is one the greatest Bahamian swimmers that have ever suited up . The Olympian is among the best not only for The Bahamas but also the CARIFTA and Caribbean regions.
This season saw her long awaited return to major international competition. Evans and her team chose to make that return at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow Scotland.
She would compete in the 100 , 200 and 400 metre freestyle events.
In the 200 metre freestyle on July 25 she had splits of 27.41,29.70,31.06 and 31.64 to record a time of 1:59.81. That was the first time any woman from the region had swum under 2 minutes at the multi sports Games. The previous best time was held by Joanna at 2:01.75 from the 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia.
She also moved Bahamas best female placing in the event from 12th to 9th. Joanna also held that Games best placing in the race from her 2018 showing. That tied her with Jamaican Olympian Janelle Atkinson who had a best showing of 9th at the 2002 Manchester Games. Atkinson also had at that time the fastest female showing in the event of 2:02.18.
The swim ranks her as the best from the CARIFTA and Caribbean regions this season. She is the only sub 2 minute performer this season.
In the 100 metre freestyle Evans posted splits of 26.85 and 28.68 to win heat 6 in a time of 55.53. That was just off her season best of 55.48. She recorded that time at the 2026 Texas Elite Invitational in June. She was also dangerously close to her personal best of 55.29 (split 26.80). She recorded her personal standard in a Silver medal winning effort at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia. That put her in the semi finals where she placed 15th overall in 56.13.
Evans, now stands as the second fastest ever female competitor from the region in that race at the Commonwealth Games with her heats swim. The fastest performer is her fellow Olympian, countrywoman Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace. AV-W was fifth in 2014, also in Glasgow in 54.37.
Evans again is the regional leader for women in this event for the season.
The 400 metre freestyle saw swimming 4:17.20 for 14th overall. That was off her season best of 4:15.14.The best ever time recorded by a woman from the region is 4:08.82 held by Evans . She is the only woman from the CARIFTA and Caribbean regions to swim under 4:10 at the Commonwealth Games. She did in 2018 when she placed fourth in the final.
Again, Joanna is the top ranked regional swimmer for the season.
At the CAC (Central American and Caribbean Games) Evans has a distinguished record. She holds the Championship standards for the 200 and 400 at 1:58.03 and 4:11.15 respectively. In the 100 metre freestyle Joanna is the fourth fastest woman in CAC Championship history.
A strong start for Evans. Knowing her passion for excellence she will be even better the next time she suits up for Team Bahamas.
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