Usadadeer still the best long-distance swimmer as nationals begin
Usadadeer, 16, is a multi-national age group record holder in the 100m (1:04.18) and 200m (2:18.95) backstroke national records for the 13-14 years boys’ age group.
Aqua Akii's Heer Usadadeer in action during the 800m race during the Uganda Aquatics Nationals at Kampala Parents School pool, July 2, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
By Michael Nsubuga
Journalists @New Vision
Aqua Akii’s Heer Usadadeer proved he is still the best endurance swimmer in the country after he topped the 800m freestyle race as the tenth edition of the Uganda Aquatics swimming nationals started at the Kampala Parents pool on Wednesday.
Despite swimming slower than his personal best of 8:46.21 over the distance, the national team swimmer won gold after posting 9:00.02 over the 32-lap race over the short course.
The time was also 2.84 seconds better than what he posted (9:02.86) in one of the heats during the Africa Aquatics Junior Swimming and Open Water Swimming Championships in Egypt in May.
Usadadeer, 16, is a multi-national age group record holder in the 100m (1:04.18) and 200m (2:18.95) backstroke national records for the 13-14 years boys’ age group.
Silverfin Academy’s Isaiah Kuc in action during the 800m freestyle race during the tenth edition of the nationals at Kampala Parents School pool, July 2, 2025. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
He also holds the 15-16 boys’ age group records in the 200m individual medley (2:15.97), butterfly (2:21.09), backstroke (2:10.05) and freestyle (2:00.18), and 100m backstroke (1:01.44).
Silverfin Academy’s Isaiah Kuc, 15, came second overall in 9:32.44 as Gators’ Max Kenyi settled for bronze in 9:45.73.
In the 13-14 years category, Aqua Akii Swim Club’s Elijah Mukisa produced the best time, posting 10:16.18, ahead of Torpedoes Jonathan Kaweesa, 14, who finished in 10:18.98, with Gators Abdou Hakim finishing in 10:19.51.
Torpedoes Elijah Ayesiga came top in the 11-12 years category ahead of Gators’ Marc Kaliisa and Aqua Akii’s Earl Ainomugisha, who posted 10:50.37 and 10:36.32, respectively.
The youngsters in the different age categories are out to impress national team selectors for a chance to be selected to represent Uganda in upcoming regional and international events, including the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Romania, August 19-24.
Over 650 swimmers are competing for accolades in the tenth edition of the championships that will be swum over five days, ending on Sunday.