Ekirikubinza sets national record

By Petride Mudoola

THE 15th FINA World Championships that ended in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday generated a run of mixed fortunes for budding Ugandan swimmer Joshua Ekirikubinza.

Despite setting a national record of 33.85 seconds in the 50m breaststroke event, Ekirikubinza failed to progress in the event.

The youngster, who finished 5th, said it was a memorable experience and left a burning desire to excel in future races.

“It was a wonderful experience facing the world’s great swimmers. I believe this will greatly impact on my training programme,” said the 16-year-old Dolphine Club member after returning home on Monday.

Uganda’s representative was at the competition with greats like Olympic medalist Matt Grevers.

Ekirikubinza, who started swimming at five years in nursery school, believes only hard work will help him realise his dream.

“I have set a high bar for myself because there people who follow me. My focus now is to qualify for the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics,” he hastened to add.

The Club Games will be held in Soctland next year while Brazil will stage the next Olympic Games in 2016.

Ekirikubinza, who made his second appearance at the competition, travelled for the Barcelona competition with Jamila Lunkuse and Arnold Kisulo.