Nkubu, Meru – January 25, 2025 – The inaugural Meru Aquatics Swimming Championship made a powerful splash in Nkubu, setting the stage for the county’s future as a key player in competitive swimming. The event brought together over 200 swimmers from across the region in a thrilling contest that delivered breathtaking races, rising young stars, and a resounding message that Meru is ready to embrace elite swimming.

It was a festival of speed, technique, and endurance as teams from across the region converged for the historic competition. Happy Fish Swim Club delivered a dominant performance, clinching the overall championship title with an astonishing 1,806 points, a testament to their depth, skill, and rigorous training. Millbrook International School finished second, accumulating 1,236 points, while Brook Mount International completed the podium with 771 points, showcasing incredible resilience in the pool. Other notable teams that graced the event included Mt Kenya Aquatics, Highlands School, Aqua Brix, Premier Swim Club, Friends Academy Annex, Blossoming Cherries Early Centre, and Comprehensive Swim Fitness Ke.

From the first splash to the final touch at the wall, the competition was a stage for young talents to shine, none more so than Adia Mwende of Highlands School. The six-year-old prodigy stole the show, delivering impeccable performances that earned her a staggering 181 points, making her the highest individual scorer in her category. She was unbeatable in the 25m freestyle, clocking 21.23 seconds, and dominated across multiple strokes with finesse. Right behind her, Jedidiah W. of Mt Kenya Aquatics, with 166 points, and Samara Wanjiru of Aqua Brix, tallying 135 points, also displayed remarkable swimming prowess.

Among the boys, Jabali Ace of Aqua Brix showcased raw talent, amassing 157 points, with a highlight performance in the 50m backstroke, where he stopped the clock at 1:06.19. His battle with Adriel Kahindo of Brook Mount International, who finished with 70 points, provided one of the most electrifying duels of the gala.

In the 8-9 years boys’ category, Myles Mariga of Mt Kenya Aquatics emerged as a sensation, scoring 157 points and displaying elite-level speed with an impressive 20.84 seconds in the 25m freestyle. His teammate ElvisM Gathigira, not to be outdone, earned 133 points, reinforcing Mt Kenya Aquatics’ reputation as a powerhouse in this age group. The Premier Swim Club’s Nadine McHana, with 91 points, led the charge in the girls’ division, outclassing the competition with sharp technique and unwavering endurance.

As the distances stretched and the strokes became more technically demanding, Wendy Waithira of Millbrook International School proved she was a swimmer to watch, topping the 12-13 girls’ category with 157 points, delivering an exceptional 49.06-second performance in the 50m backstroke. The competition intensified with Fantalise Lucy of Brook Mount International amassing 143 points, and her teammate Zarah Makena closing in with 125 points, making it a gripping contest of skill and determination. On the boys’ side, Amani Havilah of Mt Kenya Aquatics left no doubt about his credentials, securing 154 points with commanding swims in breaststroke and backstroke events.

The older categories saw thrilling battles, with Subira Kahindi Luwali of Happy Fish Swim Club capturing the 14 & Over girls’ title with 88 points, including a standout 53.70 seconds in the 50m freestyle. Among the boys, Samuel Mutembei, also of Happy Fish Swim Club, asserted his dominance, racking up 114 points and a scintillating 16.53 seconds in the 25m freestyle. Meanwhile, Jeremy Ndung’u of Comprehensive Swim Fitness Ke put on a masterclass in backstroke, sealing 60 points and proving his mettle against top competition.

Speaking to Kenya Swimming TV, the young sensation Adia Mwende, who won multiple races, expressed her excitement about the competition and her aspirations beyond Meru. “I am glad to participate in the inaugural swimming championship at my home county. I am glad I won most of my races and I’m looking forward to the next major national junior swimming championship in May this year in Kisumu. I will keep on training, aiming to improve my personal bests nationally. I thank my parents, coaches, and teammates for supporting and encouraging me. My dream is to represent the country at the global arena in the future.”

Beyond the intense competition in the pool, the event carried deeper significance for Meru swimming. Coach Lenny Muriuki, Governor of Meru Aquatics, emphasized the championship’s role in laying the foundation for a thriving swimming culture in the region. *“We appreciate all teams that participated in this inaugural swimming meet in Meru. I applaud the local organizing committee that worked tirelessly to make this event a reality. We thank parents, coaches, swimmers, and stakeholders for supporting Meru, the newest swimming county in Kenya. We recently registered the county with the sports registrar, and we are gradually building the structures to make Meru a powerhouse in swimming.

We also encourage our neighboring counties—Isiolo, Embu, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, and Tharaka-Nithi—to emulate our footsteps and make swimming happen in their areas. Our next goal is to have our best swimmers participate in the Kenya National Swimming Championship on February 15-16, 2025, at Kasarani Aquatic Arena, which serves as trials for the upcoming international swimming meets including the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Singapore.”

The energy, passion, and talent witnessed in Nkubu signaled the dawn of a new era for Kenyan swimming. With rising stars like Adia Mwende, Myles Mariga, Wendy Waithira, and Jabali Ace already making waves, the journey to national and international stardom has only just begun. The Meru Aquatics Inaugural Swimming Championship was more than just a competition—it was the birth of a swimming movement in the heart of Kenya.

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