Swimming Nationals: Day IV leaves individual bests battle tight

Such are the numbers at the Uganda Aquatics National Championships that even after turning them into a five-day competition, the organisers have had to scratch the individual medley (IMs) races and 400m freestyle to allow the event to end on Sunday.

Next year’s edition might need a week but before we get to next year, cancelling the IMs has left tight competition for gold collections in some age groups.

17 and over

Dolphins’ Tendo Kaumi is clear of the competition in the 17 and Over age group as his two gold medals on Saturday took his collection for the top prize to six in four days. He might take that to eight with the 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle coming up on Sunday.

He won 200m free (2:02.90) ahead of brother Pendo (2:03.07) and Aqua Akii’s Carlton Musenze (2:10.61). Kaumi’s Dolphins teammate Ian Aziku follows with two gold medals while Silverfin Academy’s Namanya Ampaire and Aquatic Academy’s Akram Lubega have one apiece.

The Dolphins brothers again finished one and two in 50m fly with Tendo bringing the national record down to 25.77. Aziku finished third.

For the senior girls, Sailfish’s Charlotte Sanford won the 200m freestyle (2:20.43) ahead of Aquatics’ Karimah Katemba and Aqua Akii’s Deshpande Khyati to take her gold count to three in 10 races. But the butterfly sprint went to Aqua Akii’s Kirabo Namutebi in a national record 28.65 – in a race which was also the first time she was taking on fellow national team historical Avice Meya. Meya, who like Namutebi has two gold medals, finished second (30.03) ahead of teammate Sanford who will be favourite for the 100m fly as Namutebi is expected to take charge of 50m free.

Gators topped the girls’ 4x50m medley relay while Sailfish and Aqua Akii joined them on the podium. But Dolphins were well stacked to top the boys’ ahead of Silverfin and Sailfish.

15-16

Gators’ Tara Kisawuzi also won two gold medals on Saturday in the 200m free (2:19.11) and 50m fly (29.07) of the 15-16 girls.

Rahmah Nakasule of Aquatic Academy finished behind her in both races while Paloma Kirabo joined them on the 200m free podium and Inell Raya Ba on the 50m fly one.

Kisawuzi now has five gold medals while Silverfin’s Ba and Nakasule are tied on two. Gators’ Paloma has one.

For the boys, Gators’ Peterson Inhensiko and Aqua Akii’s Heer Usadadiya are tied on four gold medals each as they each won the 50m fly and 200m freestyle respectively. Usadadiya clocked an age group record of 2:00.45.

Gators topped 4x50m medley gender relays but Aquatic Academy and Altona followed them among the girls while Dolphins and Sailfish joined them on the boys’ podiums.

13-14

Jaguar teammates Peyton Suubi and Zara Mbanga are also tied on five gold medals apiece.

Peyton owned Saturday with gold in the 200m free with an age group record 2:16.51 and 50m fly to close the gap. Mbanga was behind her in the middle distance freestyle race – ahead of Dolphins’ Theresa Kikamba – while Gliders’ Tyra Muganzi was second in the butterfly sprint. Mbanga finished third here.

For the boys, Torpedoes’ Jonathan Kaweesa also got to four gold medals – one behind Gators’ Abdul Hakim Seck after also winning both the 200m free (2:10.42) and 50m fly (27.41). Seck has five gold medals from 10 races while Black Panthers’ Benjamin Ssali has the other.

In their 4x50 medley relays, Dolphins stunned Jaguar to take the girls’ first position while Altona finished third. Altona’s boys then topped Gators and Black Panthers.

11-12

For the 11-12 girls, Otters Nisha Pearl Najjuma is way ahead of Jaguar duo Ashton Regina Suubi and Shivon Nagginda, plus Dolphins’ Jihan Nakato, on six gold medals.

Najjuma did her business on the weekdays and did not step on the podium on Saturday. The 200m free went to Ashton (2:31.76) with Nakato and Nagginda joining her on the podium while the 50m fly went to Nagginda (31.64) with Gliders Francesca Nazziwa and Aquatics’ Mushira Nabatanzi following. Nagginda will also be firm favourite for Sunday’s 100m fly while Nakato should take charge of 50m free.

In their 4x50 medley relays, Jaguar girls finished ahead of Silverfin and Dolphins while Silverfin finished ahead of Sailfish and Gators among the boys.

10 and Under

Sailfish’s Audrey Nyonyintono (34.99) won the junior girls’ only individual race (50m fly) of the day while Aqua Akii’s Tzion Tamale (36.36) topped the boys.

That was Nyonyintono’s first gold of the competition just like Otters’ Valeria Nassozi but Aqua Akii’s Adams Aya and Sailfish’s Denorah Natabi are on two. Nyonyintono is a firm favourite in the 100m fly and Aya is tipped to top the 50m free.

In their 4x50 medley relay, Sailfish topped the girls with Silverfin and Black Panther following while for the boys, Silverfin was followed by Dolphin and Jaguar.

The boys’ competition is equally tight with Silverfin’s Batuk Raan and Jaguar’s Ashley Kimuli on two. Tamale and Jaguar’s Austin Wanyama have one apiece.