Dolphins crowned champions at Hertz Invitational Swimming Gala

Dolphins Swim Club secured a total of 610 points to win the overall crown at the Hertz Invitational Swimming Gala held on Saturday at the Kampala Parents School pool.

This one-day event provided a platform for young swimmers under the age of 14 to showcase their talents in a competitive environment, as well as for those looking to improve their times following the national competition at the same venue last month. 

Defending champions Black Panthers finished in a close second place, trailing by just 22 points. Silverfin Academy, Gators Swim Club, and Vision for Africa rounded out the top five, finishing in third, fourth, and fifth places, respectively. 

The Dolphins were notably led by Malachi Ssali, who won gold in the 50m butterfly with a time of 33.04 seconds, surpassing Gators’ Berekiah Lutaaya, who clocked in at 35.08 seconds, and fellow Dolphin Baraka Kaumi, who also finished with a time of 35.08 seconds. 

Twelve-year-old Kaumi went on to earn gold in the 50m backstroke with a time of 37.65 seconds, outpacing Seals’ Israel Ellis Sewaali at 37.73 seconds and Gators’ Berekiah Lutaaya at 38.53 seconds. Additionally, Kaumi secured another gold medal in the 50m freestyle event, narrowly beating Hertz’s Finley Ahuriire by 57 microseconds and Silverfin Academy’s Sebastian Ssimbwa by one second. 

In the 9–10 years category, Maynard Mukisa won gold in the 25m freestyle event, finishing in 15.10 seconds ahead of Black Panthers’ Liam Kirabo Kaweesa (15.38 seconds) and Ozepreys’ Geremiah Opolot (15.44 seconds). Opolot, 9, emerged top in the 25m breaststroke in 20.20 ahead of Dolphins’ Isaac Gabriel Israel (20.84) and Vision for Africa International’s Elisha Sseruwagi (21.13). Jinan Nakato claimed gold in the girls’ 11–12 category for the 50m freestyle with a time of 29.57 seconds, surpassing Aquatic Academy’s Mushirah Nabatanzi (30.89 seconds) and Dolphins’ Jehan Babirye (31.45 seconds). Hertz Swim Club showcased strong performances in the girls’ 50m backstroke in the 13–14 years category, with Myrrh Twesigomwe claiming gold in 39.77 seconds. She was followed by teammates Petra Atwongyeirwe (41.22 seconds) and El-sheebah Birungi (42.89 seconds), while Black Panthers’ Latoya Kwagala secured the bronze medal with a time of 42.58 seconds.

In the 50m butterfly events, it was Aquatic Academy’s Mushirah Nabatanzi (32.72) who came top in the girls 11-12 category ahead of Dolphins’ Jehan Babirye (34.87) and Gators Rajah Pinda (35.13) while the Black Panthers’ Michaela Mwesigwa and Eulalia Alaina Rugaba, in the girls’ 7-8, took the gold and silver in 19.14 and 19.22 seconds ahead of Gators’ Asianut Talisha, who settled for the bronze in 20.48.

Overall, the Dolphins boys were instrumental in their team's championship victory, amassing a total of 371 points, while the Black Panthers led the girls’ team scores with 309.50 points.

Combined scores: Top ten

Dolphins Swim Club 610pts

Black Panthers 588. 50

Silverfin Academy 430

Gators Swim Club 346. 50

Vision for Africa 345. 50

Kampala Aquatic 344. 50

Gliders Swim Club 323. 50

Twinbrook Schools 322. 50

Hertz Swim Club 292. 50

Ozpreys Swim Club 277. 50