The Kasarani Aquatics Arena was a hive of excitement as Kenya Aquatics hosted its two-day National Swimming Championships Gala, bringing together over 40 schools and swim clubs from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The prestigious event saw elite swimmers from institutions such as Brookhouse School, Kisumu School, Kiota School, and Crawford International, while top-tier clubs, including Dashing Dolphins, Ndupawa, Otters, Sea Horses Aquatics, and Rapids, showcased their talent in the highly competitive championship.

 

With over 400 athletes vying for supremacy, the championship was marked by exhilarating races, record-breaking performances, and rising stars who stamped their authority in the pool. One of the standout moments came from 13-year-old Waweru Tevin of Raptors Swim Club, who shattered a long-standing meet record in the 100m backstroke. Clocking an impressive 1:17.49, Tevin erased Graham Walker’s 2010 record, signaling the emergence of a new force in Kenyan swimming. Expressing his joy, Tevin admitted the competition was fierce but vowed to keep pushing himself to greater heights.

 

Another young prodigy, Salima Said, 12, of Bandari Swim Club, delivered a breathtaking performance in the 200m event, clinching gold with a record-breaking time of 3:36.34. The young sensation, elated by her triumph, described it as a dream come true and pledged to continue training rigorously to elevate her performance at the national level. Meanwhile, 14-year-old Ariana Barchha from Genesis Sports added to the spectacle by claiming gold in the 200m backstroke, clocking 2:49.20 in a grueling contest that tested her endurance and technique. Despite facing stiff competition, Ariana described the experience as both challenging and rewarding.

 

The championship was graced by Kenya Aquatics President Dr. Maureen Awiti, who lauded the remarkable performances and the growing enthusiasm for the sport. She emphasized that the future of swimming in Kenya is exceptionally bright, given the level of talent on display. Dr. Awiti also acknowledged the participation of Tanzanian and Ugandan teams, underlining the strong cross-border relationships that continue to strengthen the region’s swimming landscape. She further revealed that the competition would serve as a crucial preparation ground for the upcoming Africa Aquatics Junior Championships in Egypt in April this year, with priority given to top swimmers who have consistently met qualifying standards over the past year.

 

In the men’s category, Bandari Swim Club emerged as the dominant force, securing an impressive 56 medals—24 gold, 19 silver, and 13 bronze. Braeburn Swimming Club followed closely in second place with a total of 33 medals, including 14 gold, 10 silver, and 9 bronze, while Sea Horses rounded off the podium with 13 medals—9 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze.

 

The women’s category saw Braeburn claim the top spot with a commanding 37 medals—19 gold, 14 silver, and 4 bronze. The Tanzanian swimmers squad finished second, bagging a total of 28 medals (14 gold, 6 silver, and 8 bronze), while Mombasa Aquatics secured third place with 17 medals, including 6 gold, 7 silver, and 4 bronze.

 

When the final medal tally was compiled, Bandari Swim Club was crowned the overall champions, amassing a total of 72 medals, with 35 gold, 23 silver, and 14 bronze. Braeburn Swimming Club followed closely in second place with 70 medals (33 gold, 24 silver, and 13 bronze), while the Tanzanian swimmers squad took third place with 44 medals—20 gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze.

 

The next major event on the Kenya Aquatics calendar is the highly anticipated Masters Gala, set to take place on February 22nd at the same venue and also young ones eyeing for the prestigious national junior swimming championship in May in Kisumu. With over 40 teams from Kenya and beyond already confirming participation, the upcoming masters for 25 years and over promises to be another thrilling showcase of swimming talent among the adults. Additionally, the Masters Gala will serve as a preparatory stage for Kenyan swimmers gearing up for the World Aquatics Masters Swimming Championships, scheduled to be held in July in Singapore.

As Kenya continues to produce young swimming prodigies and assert its dominance in the region, the championship not only reaffirmed the nation’s growing stature in the sport but also set the stage for greater achievements on the international stage.

Photo Courtesy: Ariana Barchha from Genesis Sports.