Uganda bags two gold medals at Special Olympics

It was all smiles for swimmer Larry Feni Graig and sprinter Jacent Nyamahunge as the Ugandan pair won gold in the 25m breaststroke and 100m run, respectively at Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019.

At Dubai Police Stadium, the 21-year-old Nyamahunge registered an impressive time of 12.19 seconds to complete her gold medal haul adding to the other he won on Saturday in the 200 metres. She ran a fine race beating her closest challenger Johannah Mogale of South Africa by almost two seconds (1.55) which was which was enough to defend her double gold after a similar victory in 2015 in Los Angeles. Hernandez Sanchez of Nicaragua) Almenas finished third.

Nyahunge defied earlier fears in the camp as she reported a running stomach in the morning and was feeling uneasy even during lunchtime. Yet her run was of a determined person ready to win.
Her gold medal brings to four the number of medals Uganda has managed with the others coming early through swimmers Larry Feni and Rogger Agenorwoth. Feni, who won his second medal at the Games, was top of his division in the 25m breaststroke while Agenorwoth’s triumph came through on Sunday evening during the wet suit open water swimming.

Gorret Nakitende, who complained of being placed in a division that had faster swimmers than her ability, was third in her race winning bronze. Her conquest brought to three the bronze medals Uganda has got adding to the other Brian Elemu managed in his 25m breaststroke division.
Elizabeth Nicole, who took bronze in the 50m freestyle on Sunday won Uganda the other beronze.
Nyamahunge said: “This is a proud moment for me as I have always dreamt of winning a gold medal for my country and winning a double leaves me speechless,” UCU first year student said.

Uganda’s other medal hopes remain in the volleyball team which plays Indonesia today in the medal games. The team, who topped their group are already assured of a medal – either silver or gold.
The games end on Thursday with a closing ceremony at the Zayed City Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Today’s results
Football: India 1-1 Uganda

Swimming: 25m breaststroke
Women Div 5
1. Darina Khrihova (Slovakia) - 23.20
2. Rekha (Bagladesh) - 24.41
3. Gorret Nakitende (Uganda) 27.69

Women division 3
1. Salmoli Chakroborty (India) - 32.17
2. Lhome Elshani - Switzerland) - 35.18
3. Ena Catovic (Bosnia) - 35.52
6. Elizabeth Nicole (Uganda) - 43.28

Men Div 2
1. Omar Sharif Alshami (UAE) - 28.20
2. Glad Ketlaleka (Botswana) - 28.67
3. Brian Elemu (Uganda) - 34.76

Men Div 4
1. Larry Feni (Uganda) - 17.80
2. Taiga Teshima (Japan) - 18.71
3. Idrees Alsamarraie (Iraq) - 19.73

100m Run
1. Jacent Nyamahunge (Uganda) - 12.19
2. Johannah Mogale (S. Africa) - 13.70
3. Hernandez Sanchez (Nicaragua) - 16.73

Playing tomorrow - Volleyball medal brackets
Uganda vs Indonesia, 10:00am (EAT)