Kenyan swimmers have shifted their focus to the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in China in December and the 2027 Africa Games in Egypt after gaining valuable international experience at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.
Kenya Aquatics president Teddy Wamuyu believes their performances in Dakar, Senegal, provided a foundation on which the country can build as it seeks to improve its competitiveness on the international stage.
Speaking on Wednesday, Wamuyu said the swimmers demonstrated encouraging signs in their respective races but challenged the federation to provide more international exposure to improve their chances of breaking into the medal bracket.
“The swimmers were competitive in their various races. What we need now is consistency in international performances and more competitions to ensure we get into the medal bracket,” said Wamuyu.
He said the two upcoming assignments would offer Kenyan swimmers another opportunity to measure themselves against stronger opposition as the federation builds on the experience gained in Senegal.
“The two championships will be tougher than Dakar, but I believe our swimmers are heading in the right direction based on the times we posted,” he added.
Among those expected to spearhead Kenya’s campaign is Jeremy Mutwii Rieck, who delivered an encouraging performance in Dakar, finishing sixth in both the men’s 100m and 50m butterfly finals. Rieck improved his 100m butterfly time from 56.14 seconds in the heats to 55.51 in the final. In the 50m butterfly, he clocked 25.05 in the heats before returning 25.07 in the final.
Macrine Kalombo also showed promise across several events, clocking 1:01.18 in the women’s 100m freestyle, 2:35.23 in the 200m individual medley, 36.35 in the 50m breaststroke and 1:23.33 in the 100m breaststroke.
South Africa-based Neo Olengo posted 25.59 in the men’s 50m freestyle, 30.60 in the 50m breaststroke, 1:08.49 in the 100m breaststroke and 2:35.39 in the 200m breaststroke. Isabelle Mwangi of Otters returned 28.39 in the women’s 50m freestyle and 2:21.14 in the 200m freestyle.
Although Kalombo, Olengo and Mwangi missed out on the finals, their performances offered valuable lessons against a competitive international field.
Meanwhile, Kenya Aquatics are preparing for the National Open Water Swimming Championships in Mombasa next month, followed by the National Long Course Swimming Championships in Kilifi.
