Formidables top Masters Swimming Championship

The Formidables Masters Swimming Club amassed 3,202pts to win the Formidables Masters Championship held at the Waves Fitness Harbour pool on Saturday.

Diane Bakukaraira set the pace for the defending champions when she won gold in the 25m breaststroke race in a personal best of 27.43, in the 45-49 years category, ahead of Malta Swim Club’s Joan Nankabirwa, who made 30.08 in second place, and ahead of her teammate Frida Byamugisha, who took the bronze in 38.37. The hosts also had Safina Namayanja (46.84), who finished fourth in the same race.

The champions also had Catherine Nakimuli (22.36) and Shaminah Kulabako (22.60) in the 35-39 years category, with silver and bronze in the opening race of the event, won by Ambrosoli Sailfish Masters’ Trinity Priscilla Biywaga in 20.90 seconds. 

Malta Swim Club’s Rachael Galinda in action. Photo by Michel Nsubuga

In the 25-29 years, Otters Swim Club’s Resty Kiwuka (20.69) was also good for gold ahead of Malta Swim Club’s Rachael Galinda (21.24) and Natasha Nagadya (22.18).

Malta’s Mary Nakamya and Betty Nayah Kobere took gold and silver, respectively, in the 40-44 years category, ahead of Gators’ Monica Kisakye Kalema, who settled for bronze, while Ambrosoli’s Patricia Ejalu, Gators’ Jeroline Akubu, and Dolphins' Kate Kiiza were the best in the 50-54 category, as Silverfin’s Laura Walusimbi, Malta’s Jacquilene Muhimbise,, and Gloria Ssali, as well as Malta’s Jacquilene Muhimbise, shone in the 55-59 years category. 

Otters’ Sarah Nalumanzi was the sole competitor in the 60 & over, clocking 41.17 over the same distance. The Formidables’ men put up a strong display in the 50m backstroke, with Peter Ssebanakitta and Charles Obwana shining in the 50m backstroke, taking gold and silver in 1:02.20 and 1:17.08, respectively, in the 60 & over, as Peter Mugisha (50.41), Donald Rukare (53.63), and Patrick Magezi (55.97) dominated in the 55-59 years category. 

Formidables’ Michael Ocero (52) was also a sole performer in the 50-54 age cluster, as were Rogers Sabiiti (41.52) and Habib Yawe (41.61) in the 35-39, who also took gold and silver ahead of Ambrosoli’s William Mulopa (46.07). Ambrosoli also took the 45-49 gold by Patrick Oghittu, who was 11.02 and 19.08 seconds faster than Formidable's Dunstan Rukare, who clocked 57.36 in the 45-49 cluster.

In the 40-44 category, the best three top swimmers were Jonathan Musana (Ambrosoli), Alex Kateba (Formidables), and Joseph Kabogozza (Ambrosoli), while Silverfin’s Benon Binta (38.69), Formidables’ Louis Wolimbwa (40.34), and Gators’ Stephen Ssembajwe (41.44) took the podium in the 30-34 age cluster. The swimmers engaged in butterfly and freestyle events.

Combined Team Scores

Formidables Swim Club 3,202ots

Ambrosoli Sailfish Masters: 1,718

Malta Swim Club: 1,119

Dolphins Masters 638

Otters Swim Club Uganda 603

Gators Swim Club Kampala 420

Makerere University Swim Team 323

Silverfin Academy 259

Aquatic Academy 252

Kampala Quality Marlins 231

Hurricanes Swim Club 201

Nile Sharks, Jinja, 199

Our Savior Swimming Family 175

Team Tanzania 141

Friends of Water Aqua Akii 94

Aqua Akii 86