Federation heads shine at maiden swimming gala

By Michael Nsubuga      

Uganda Swimming Federation President Donald Rukare and his vice Peter Mugisha took to the pool, setting new records in the inaugural Masters Swimming Championship at ISU on Saturday.

Rukare and Mugisha were among 30 swimmers that participated in the event aimed at keeping former swimmers active and also preparing them for the World Masters swimming championship due in Montreal next year.

The top swimmers in the first and second Masters qualifying events will represent Uganda for the first time at the annual championship.

Rukare clocked 00:15.10,00:20.51 and 00:17.06 in the 25m free, breast and butterfly races respectively in the 42-47 years category while Mugisha put on 00:18.50 and 00:43.09 in the 25m and 50m breaststroke events.

Peter Mugisha (foreground) and George William Mukasa dive in during the 25m breaststroke race. PHOTO/Michael Nsubuga

Other top performers in the one-day-Rwenzori water sponsored tournament included 33-year-old Ibrahim Mapetra ,Isaac Rwenzo  and Joseph Mutagubya.

Mapetra returned 00:17.02 in the 25m and 00.40.06 in the 50m breast, 01:17.23 in the 100m freestyle, 00:42.76 in the 50m backstroke and 01:18.14 in the individual Medley, to set new records in the 30-37 years category, while Rwenzo also put on a good show in the 25 and 50m breaststroke events.

Mutagubya came top in the 50m butterfly, with George William Mukasa also showing that he can still perform in the breast, back and freestyle heats.

Olympian Ganzi Mugula and Vianney Lusimbo were among the crop of current swimmers who spiced up the event,  that attracted parents of young swimmers and coaches from different schools.

Ibrahim Mapetra in action during the 100m butterfly during the Masters Swimming Championship. PHOTO/Michael Nsubuga

Mugula won all his heats in the 25 and 50m races.

In the ladies category of the 25-29 Grace Aloo clocked 00:50.12 in the 100m free style, 00:27.29 (25m back), and 2:09.39 in the Individual Medley.

Shona Volrath, Enid Katorobo, Lee Anne and Lillian Mugisha were the ladies whose records will have to be challenged in the second masters outing later this year.

Masters swimming is basically adult swimming that encompasses a whole range of ability from casual fitness swimming to highly organized competitive swimming. Competitors need to be over 25 years of age to participate.