Dolphins defend Kenya Championships

Hanah Kyanda displays her trophy and medal collection from the Kenya National Championships. Courtesy photo

What you need to know:

Kyanda is a daughter to UPDF Chief of Land Forces, Leopold Kyanda. The army officer is among several parents that contributed funds to make the Ugandan teams’ trip to Nairobi possible

Kampala.

Ugandan club, Dolphins, inspired by captain, Selina Katumba, defended the Kenya Junior Swimming Championships crown in Nairobi after amassing 470.5 points and 56 medals (23 gold, 15 silver and 18 bronze) at the weekend.

Katumba, 11, collected five individual gold medals in the 50m backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke and freestyle races. She also won gold in the 100m Individual Medley (11-year-olds category). Dolphins have now won the annual regional competition, which attracts swimmers from around East Africa, four consecutive times and five in total.

Local rivals, Seals, ran Dolphins close in the competition, furthering Uganda’s dominance of junior competitions in East Africa. Seals, who were fifth in their first appearance last year, finished second with 182 points and 17 medals (seven gold, six silver and four bronze) while new Ugandan clubs Altona and Shark Teens managed nine points to tie in 23rd position out of 27 clubs.

Seals’ top performer, Hannah Kyanda, 8, won gold in the 25m backstroke, silver in the 100m Individual Medley, 25m freestyle and bronze in the 25m breaststroke in the girls’ eight-year-olds category.

Kyanda is a daughter to UPDF Chief of Land Forces, Leopold Kyanda. The army officer is among several parents that contributed funds to make the Ugandan teams’ trip to Nairobi possible.

Sharks had two bronze medals from Rahmah Nakasule in the 25m butterfly and 100m Individual Medley.

Kenya Swimming Junior Championships – Standings
1.Dolphins 470.5
2.Seals 182
3. Bubble Swim (Kenya) 144
23. Shark Teens 9
23. Altona 9