By Borniface Anyanzwa, Kenya Swimming TV

Kenya’s aquatic revolution is surging forward — with precision, power, and promise. At the just-concluded 2025 South African National Aquatic Championships in Gqeberha, two young Kenyan athletes didn’t just compete — they made a statement. Stephen Ndegwa and Haniel Kudwoli, now nicknamed the Butterfly King and the Breaststroke Barracuda respectively, captivated Africa’s swimming elite with poise, speed, and national pride.

At 21 years old, Stephen Ndegwa, a product of Bandari Swimming Club confirmed his dominance as Kenya’s top flyer. Known for his technique and sprinting precision, Ndegwa competed in three events in Gqeberha with solid performances:

100m Freestyle: 53.27 seconds – 37th place

100m Butterfly: 57.23 seconds – 24th place

50m Butterfly: 25.68 seconds – 23rd place

Though he narrowly missed out on the finals, Ndegwa’s form and composure demonstrated he is building momentum ahead of the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. His breakout moment came earlier in Mombasa, where he set a new national 100m butterfly record at 56.44 seconds, earning him the nickname “Kenya’s Butterfly King.”

> “Stephen is poetry in motion. His technique and competitive spirit have placed him on the global path,” said Farkry Mansoor, Head Coach Bandari. “He’s rewriting what it means to be a Kenyan swimmer.”

Haniel Kudwoli, 19, continued his meteoric rise in the pool and delivered Kenya’s biggest highlight at the SA Nationals — a finals appearance in the 50m breaststroke, where he placed 11th overall with a finals time of 29.75 seconds.

His full set of events and results:

50m Breaststroke (Heats): 29.32 seconds – 9th place (qualified for finals)

50m Breaststroke (Finals): 29.75 seconds – 11th place

100m Breaststroke: 1:06.94 – 19th place

100m Freestyle: 54.55 seconds – 69th place

Kudwoli, already the national record holder in both 50m and 100m breaststroke (with previous bests of 29.06 and 1:03.44 respectively), proved that his talent translates on the continental stage.

> “Making a final in such a high-profile meet is no small feat,” said Coach Mansoor. “Haniel showed incredible nerves, racing among the region’s best and holding his own. He’s earned the title ‘Kenya’s Breaststroke Barracuda’ — strong, sharp, and fearless.”

Coach Farkry Mansoor, who has nurtured both athletes from grassroots to global qualifiers, believes Kenya’s swimming potential is only beginning to unfold.

> “Stephen and Haniel are not just swimmers; they’re storytellers. Their success gives hope to thousands of kids who now believe swimming isn’t just for the elite. It’s for every Kenyan with a dream,” he said.

The SA National Championships, held at Newton Park, are one of Africa’s most competitive World Aquatics-sanctioned meets — serving as a qualifier for the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. With top swimmers from across Africa and beyond, it was a testing ground Kenya embraced with bold strokes.

Kenya may not have topped the podium, but Ndegwa’s consistency and Kudwoli’s breakthrough finals swim signaled that the country’s athletes are ready to compete at the highest level.

The 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore (July 11–28) may see Ndegwa and Kudwoli competing under the Kenyan flag if they meet selection criteria by Kenya Aquatics. It marks a historic chapter in Kenyan swimming, as the two aim to reach semifinal rounds and further elevate the country’s international standing.

Hillary Leboy, 2nd Vice President of Kenya Aquatics and Team Kenya Manager for the upcoming Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Egypt, reflected on the national momentum.

> “This generation is different. They swim with conviction, purpose, and national pride,” he said. “Stephen and Haniel have lit a fire — and the juniors going to Cairo are inspired.”

He added,

> “Kenya now knows that swimming is not just a sport — it’s a possibility. And we are building systems to nurture this talent long-term.”

From humble training pools in Kenya to the bright spotlight of Gqeberha and soon, the global waters of Singapore — Kenya’s aquatic heroes are rewriting history.

With Stephen Ndegwa sprinting through butterfly lanes and Haniel Kudwoli dominating breaststroke heats, backed by visionary coaches and officials, Kenya is not just participating — it’s arriving.

Kenya is swimming with purpose. The world is watching. This article has been sponsored by Genesis Sports Limited, a powerhouse of sports equipment and wear including swimming accessories. Call+254742222777 or shop online www.genesissports.co.ke