National Junior Swimming Championships garners massive traction

Kenya Aquatics has received 1,498 individual entries ahead of the National Junior Swimming Championships scheduled for Saturday, 3 to Sunday, 4 May at Aga Khan Academy in Kisumu.

Billed as an event where “Kenya’s swimming stars are born”, the Championship is also set to bring together 258 junior athletes (135 girls and 123 boys) from 30 teams, and 115 relay entries.

All four classic strokes - freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke - will be contested across multiple distances and relays.

In new regulations set this year, six-and-under girls and boys must clock 25m freestyle in under 29 seconds, seven-year-olds must swim under 25 seconds, and eight-year-olds must beat 59 seconds in the 50m freestyle.

Beyond medals and personal bests, the Junior Championship will serve as a key scouting opportunity, as national team selectors and partner organisations will be on the lookout for the next generation of swimming stars.

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“This is a great opportunity to showcase young talent and foster the next generation of elite swimmers,” Steve Biko, Chair of the Local Organising Committee, said.

Among the schools that will feature in the event include: Adventure Talents, Aqua Shark Fin, Bandari Swim Club, Blue Elite Swim Team, Blue Ocean Swim Club, Castle Sports and Events Ltd, Cavina School, Crawford International School, Elites Swim Club, Fithub Aquatics, Genesis Sports Limited, Homabay Aquatics, Hydra Aquatics and Hydrofitt Swim Club.

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Overall, over 40 top swimming clubs will be in attendance, with the winning school taking the overall championship trophy.

Older junior swimmers will be tasked to finish the 50m freestyle in 50 seconds, 11-year-olds to hit 45 seconds in the same event, with 11-year-olds must complete the 200m individual medley in 3:35.00 or better.