Inhensiko finishes second in 50m freestyle, Athletics team arrives

Swimming
 
Men’s 50m Freestyle Heat 4/7
1. Ali Ali (BRN) 24:33
2. Peterson Inhensiko (UGA) 24:73
3. Ocean Campus (GUM) 24:75
Men’s 50m butterfly Heat 3/6
1. Dikop Romos (SUR) 26:21
2. Ali Ali ( BRN) 26:30
3. Guimaraes Santiago (ANG) 26:87
4. Peterson Inhensiko (UGA) 27:33

Women’s 200m individual medley Heat 1/6

1. Chang Mohan (CHN) 2:20:23
2. Simcha Ofir (ISR) 2:27:52
3. Tan Yan Qing (MAS) 2:29:13
5. Mbanga Zara (UGA) 2:35:13

Uganda's Peterson Inhensiko made a new personal best in the 50m freestyle after coming second in heat four of this year's Youth Olympic Games, which are underway in Dakar, Senegal.

Inhensiko finished four microseconds behind eventual winner Ali Ali from Bahrain, who posted 24.33 seconds.

The race saw Inhensiko improve his personal best of 25.72 by one second, putting up a new personal best of 24.73. He, however, didn't manage to make the best qualifying time, with his time putting him out of the best eight qualifying times.

In the afternoon, Inhensiko returned to the pool in the men's 50m butterfly but came short of a top-three finish. Despite posting another impressive time, Inhensiko finished fourth with a 27.33 in a race that was won by Dikop Romos.

Peterson Inhensiko in Ugandan jersey and Mbanga in red

Inhensiko returns to the pool tomorrow to take part in his final race of the competition. He will be looking to improve on his 50m backstroke, which he has already run at 28.70 this year.

In the women's 200m individual medley, Uganda's Mbanga Zara Marie finished fifth after posting 2:35.56 minutes. Mbanga started well, moving toe to toe with Chinese eventual winner Chang Mohan in the first 50 meters.

However, after 100 meters, Simcha Ofir from Israel and Malaysian Tan Yan Qing overtook her, pushing her to a fifth-place finish. She, however, took home some positives after improving on her personal best in the individual medley competition.

Athletics team arrives

Yesterday evening, the Uganda Athletics team arrived, led by coach Ziana Cheptoyek. The eight-member delegation included five runners, two coaches, and one cyclist. The athletes included Baskaline Cherotwo (women's 1500m), Racheal Chelimo (2000m steeplechase), Keren Chelimo (women's 3000m), Michael Kibet (2000m steeplechase), and Timothy Cheptoek (800m).

Cyclist Ali Ssali traveled with the team together with his coach. Athletics competitions begin from the 8th to the 10th of this month and will mark the climax of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Uganda has won only four medals at these games, including one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, and they have all come from athletics.