Discover the inspiring journey of Mia Phiri, Zambia’s fastest female swimmer at 21. From breaking national records to overcoming a career-threatening injury, Mia’s story is one of resilience, dedication, and leadership. Learn how she mentors young athletes, champions mental health, and prepares for the 2024 Olympics, all while pushing the boundaries of Zambian swimming and inspiring future generations.
When discussing Zambia’s rising female athletes, several prominent names come to mind: Barbara Banda, captain of the women’s national football team; Rachel Kundananji, the highest-paid woman footballer in history; Olympian sprinter Rhoda Njobvu; and now, Mia Phiri, an essential name in any conversation about Zambian sportswomen. At just 21 years old, Mia is a promising young swimmer who holds the record for Zambia’s fastest female swimmer, having shattered eight national records.
I first encountered Mia in a virtual meeting, where her confident and assured voice stood out. Her passion for sports began early, nurtured by her parents, both avid swimmers. From a young age, Mia was drawn to the water. Though she dabbled in various sports—hockey, football, horse-riding—she always returned to swimming, a defining trait of her family’s identity. Mia generously shares her love for the sport at every opportunity.
Mia’s dedication to uplifting others has been evident since her primary school years when she and her younger sister, Jade Phiri—a rising talent—began offering swimming lessons in their family pool. This commitment to others is something Mia carries onto the global stage. She feels a profound responsibility to support others as she has been supported, dedicating herself to mentoring and inspiring others, especially women, to consider competitive swimming as a profession.
Beyond competition, Mia values the relationships and lessons she’s gleaned through the sport. As captain of her swimming team and while training with top athletes worldwide, Mia believes there’s always something to learn from her experiences, both in and out of the pool.
In 2024, Mia set a new national record at the World Aquatic Championships in Doha, clocking 29.61 seconds in the women’s 50m backstroke, surpassing her personal best of 30.17 seconds and earning fifth place in the meet. She is also the first Zambian swimmer to win two medals at the All-Africa Games, in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestyle.
However, Mia’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. In 2023, she faced a potentially career-ending injury. Months of gruelling rehabilitation filled her with discouragement and a sense of loss. Yet, with the support of her coaches and teammates, she made a remarkable comeback. This period taught her resilience and the importance of a robust support system, proving that setbacks are merely setups for greater comebacks.
Having just completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology, Mia strives to avoid complacency despite her achievements. She shared, grounded and insightful, “I never get complacent because I always think you can get better. I don’t think anyone can ever say they’ve reached their peak. I’m always striving to be better regardless of the success I receive along the way. Being in an environment where I get to train with and be challenged by some of the best athletes in the world makes me want to get better.”
Defining success for oneself is a cornerstone of Mia’s philosophy, which her father instilled. “The goal is to raise the bar of Zambian swimming, especially for women,” Mia explains. “The more I can beat my previous records and smash others, the more it will continue to add to that goal. And sometimes you don’t always achieve what you aim for or what’s expected of you, and that’s okay. You have to be willing to define success for yourself and rewrite some of your goals in life while pushing forward.”
Mia draws inspiration from many female Zambian athletes across various disciplines, expressing immense joy in their exceptional performances. From football to chess to swimming, she follows their journeys keenly, staying connected to her roots while living abroad. This connection to Zambia keeps her grounded and continually motivated to contribute to the sporting community back home.
She also highlights women’s hardships in male-dominated spaces, noting the social and economic exclusion, gatekeeping, and setbacks that female athletes often overcome. “It’s interesting to see the dedication, motivation, and hard work that comes from being a female athlete and what that takes. Seeing each woman’s story unfold and what they are willing to go through to be the best at what they do and want to compete for Zambia despite all odds is truly humbling and inspiring. I’m privileged to have my name mentioned in the same breath as these women.”
After representing Zambia on the international stage from Doha to Fukuoka, Japan, the world awaits Mia’s debut at the 2024 Olympics in France this July. She follows in the footsteps of previous Zambian Olympians, Tilka Pajk and Shaquille Moosa, who competed in Tokyo 2020. Mia’s participation in the Olympics is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and it promises to be a significant milestone in her career.
Mia remains steadfast in her Olympic training and looks forward to furthering her education with a master’s degree in clinical psychology or biology. Her immediate plans include giving back to her community in Zambia through continued tutoring and mentoring of young swimmers, helping bridge the high entry barrier into the sport. She believes in using her platform and resources to create opportunities for the next generation of athletes.
In every lap, she swims and every record she breaks, Mia Phiri is not just making waves in the pool but also paving the way for future generations of Zambian athletes. Her story is one of perseverance, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, inspiring countless others to chase their dreams despite the status quo.
Images courtesy of Mia Phiri
