How Gators Swim Club won the 10th edition of nationals

Gators Swim Club amassed 3,129 points to win the tenth edition of the Uganda Aquatics swimming nationals at Kampala Parents School pool on Sunday.

The Gators’ men, especially from the 15-16 years category, were the architects of the victory, having collected 954 points out of the 1884.50 points collected from the other age categories.

The 13-14 boys amassed 346 points, the 11-12, 272.50 points, and the 11 & over, 59 points. The 15-16 girls chipped in with 534 points, the 17 & Over 353.50 points, and the 11 & Over added 26 points to ensure the Gators defended the overall crown.

The captains of the top three teams; winners Gators (center), runners up Dolphins and first runners up Silverfin after the nationals at Kampala Parents pool. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Peterson Inhensiko was the best Gators swimmer, having won 12 gold and 2 silver over the five days, which made him top the 15-16 category ahead of Aqua Akii’s Heer Usadadeer, who also collected 12 gold and three bronze, and Silverfin’s Isaiah Kuc, who collected 3 gold and ten silver.

Inhensiko in particular led a 1-2-3 finish as the Gators dominated the 50m breaststroke, where he clocked 31.07, ahead of teammates Daniel Rukundo (31.47) and Joel Nyaika (31.67)

The other standouts from the championship included the Dolphins trio of Kaumi Tendo, Ian Aziku, and Pendo Kaumi, who dominated the 17 & over boys’ category with 21 gold, 6 gold, and 3 gold and 10 silver, respectively.

Record-setter Kirabo Namutebi was also among the top three girls with 9 gold, in second place in between Sailfish’s Charlotte Sanford (12 gold) and Avice Meya, who picked up six gold.

The 15-16 girls’ category was topped by another Gator, Tara Kisawuzi, who finished ahead of Aquatic’s Rahmah Nakasule and Silverfin’s Ba Raya, while Torpedoes’ Jonathan Kaweesa, Gators’ Abdou Hakim, and Black Panthers’ Benjamin Ssali were the best in the 13-14 boys’ category, just like Jaguars duo Peyton Ssuubi and Zara Mbanga, who were neck-to-neck in the girls’ category in first and second with 18 gold each, ahead of Gliders’ Tyrah Muganzi, who finished with ten silvers.

Sponsors representatives pose with the captains of the top three teams; winners Gators (center), runners up Dolphins and first runners up Silverfin after the nationals at Kampala Parents pool. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

The best in the 11-12 category were Silverfin’s Kristian Bwisho, Torpedoes’ Elijah Ayesiga, and Gators’ Marc Kaliisa, as was Otters’ Nisha Pearl Najjuma, Dolphins’ Jinan Nakato, and Jaguars’ Shivon Naginda.

The Jaguars were also well represented in the 10 & boys where Austin Wanyama (six gold) and Ashley Kimuli (3 gold) came second and third, respectively, below Silverfin’s Raan Batuk, who topped the category with nine gold points.

Sailfish’s Denorah Nattabi and Audrey Nyonyintono and Aqua Akii’s Adams Aya were the other top-performing girls in the same category.

The Gators also dominated the 200m freestyle relay events taking gold in the Boys 17 & Over and 15-16 boys and girls categories, where the Silverfin and Dolphins and Aquatic Academy teams settled for silver.

On their part, the Silverfin Academy took the 10 & Under and the 11-12 ahead of the Jaguars and Gators, respectively.

The Dolphins were also outstanding in the girls 11-12 and 13-14 beating the Jaguars and Altona to the gold, as the Black Panthers also claimed gold in the boys’ 13-14 category ahead of Altona and the Silverfin Academy.

The event was sponsored by DStv, Aquafina, Airtel, Stanbic, UCC, Plascon, and NCS.

Combined team scores

Gators SC 3,129pts

Dolphins SC 2,277

Silverfin Academy 2,165

Jaguars SC 1,594.50

Aquatic Academy 1,447

Sailfish SC 1,323.50

Altona 1,170

Aqua Akii 1,160

Black Panthers 750

Torpedoes 537

Ozpreys SC 418

Otters SC 4O2

Gliders SC 381

Seals SC 127

Vision for Africa 120

Makerere Sharks 78

Orcas SC 64

Hertz SC 41

Baseline SC 35

Tumaini Aquatic 8