This archive report was first published on 30 November 2019.
On October 13, 2019, the Nairobi Level 1 Swimming Championship was held at the Makini School, where 10-year-old Dylan Alaro showcased his skills.
Fast forward to the ongoing CANA Zone Three Swimming and Open Water Championships at Kasarani Aquatic Stadium, Kenyan swimmers continued to impress. Johari Masinde took the top spot in the boys' 11 to 12 years 50m butterfly contest, clocking 30.90 seconds.
Joshua Masakha secured silver in the same event, finishing in 31.27 seconds, while Uganda's Kigundu Tyaba trailed behind to claim bronze. Masinde's dominance in the butterfly category was evident when he swam in a time of 1:14.40 to win the 100m gold medal, with Masakha and Kigundu settling for silver and bronze respectively.
Imara Bella Thorpe made a clean sweep in the girls' over 17 years 50m and 100m butterfly events, winning gold in both categories. Thorpe clocked 29.66 seconds in the 50m event, with Nasimiyu Khatundi and Nicole Kamau taking silver and bronze respectively. In the 100m event, Thorpe led the pack, ahead of Riva Karia and Tanzania's Sylvia Caloiaro, who secured silver and bronze.
Victoria Okumu won gold in the girls' 15 to 16 years 100m butterfly event, clocking 1:11.44 seconds. She was followed by the South African duo of Lerato Thobeha and Christine Mbite, who took silver and bronze respectively. Lubaina Ali Islam ruled the girls' 13 to 14 years 100m butterfly contest, finishing in 1:12.98 seconds.
Ashley Kagwima secured bronze in the girls' 11 to 12 years 100m butterfly event, finishing in 1:21.74 seconds behind Tamenji Miti of Zambia and Sydney Hardeman of Tanzania, who won gold and silver respectively. Tabuka Bifwoli won gold in the boys' 15 to 16 years 100m butterfly category, clocking 1:01.04 seconds.
Kenyan swimmers also excelled in other events, with Ivan Hart winning silver in the boys' 13 to 14 years 100m butterfly event. However, they were overpowered in the boys' 17 years and over 50m butterfly challenge.
