More than 600 junior swimmers from over 50 schools and clubs across Kenya competed at St. Christopher’s School in Nanyuki during the Kenya Aquatics National Junior Swimming Championships held on August 22 and 23.
The two-day competition brought together swimmers across different age groups, with athletes battling for medals, personal bests and improved times.
More than 50 teams participated, including defending champions Bandari Swim Club from Mombasa, Swimfit Club, Elite Swim Club, Wave Gliders, Orca Swim Club, Torpedo Swim Club, Thika Swim Academy and The Nyali School Swimming, among others.
Laikipia County Aquatics Chairman Omar Omari said the championships provide an important platform for young swimmers to gain experience and test themselves against competitors from across the country.
“This is a very good competition because these are feeder senior swimmers and feeder elite swimmers,” Omari said.
He added that competing against swimmers in their respective age groups helps build confidence and prepares them for higher levels of competition.
“It’s a great opportunity for the young swimmers to meet their peers from different parts of the country, which boosts their morale when it comes to competing.”
Among the standout performers was 11-year-old Yakim Kinda of Swimfit Club, who won gold in the boys’ 50-metre butterfly in the 11-year-old category after clocking 34.02 seconds.
Imani Earnest of Elite Swim Club took silver, while Jason Mwanzia of Wave Gliders settled for bronze.
Kinda said the championships are part of his preparations for his next major target — qualifying for the Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships in Kampala, Uganda, in October.
“My aim for this Junior Championships is to get more times because I’m Kinda.
The championships also attracted American swimming coach Glen Neufeld, who remained in Kenya after conducting a coaching programme.
Neufeld said he was impressed by the atmosphere and enthusiasm surrounding the competition.
“I came in and as soon as I got out of the car, I could hear it, I could smell it and then I could see it. Kids racing, coaches coaching, and spectators cheering for their kids and it’s been an amazing day,” Neufeld said.
He believes Kenya has significant potential to develop a stronger swimming programme if coaches and athletes receive the necessary support.
“I think Kenya’s swimming has an immense amount of potential. You’ve got great coaches that want to do well for their athletes and I think the sky is your limit.”
Neufeld also expressed interest in returning to Kenya to continue working with coaches and athletes.
The championships were held in Laikipia County for the first time, providing young swimmers with a national platform to assess their progress and compete against some of the country’s emerging talent.
Attention now shifts to the ANOCA Zone Five Youth Games, where Kenya will field a 16-member swimming squad comprising eight boys and eight girls on August 25 and 26.
The swimmers will then have another opportunity to compete at regional level during the Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships in Kampala, Uganda, scheduled for October 21 to 25.
