Selina Katumba stars at KSF swimming gala

By Michael Nsubuga

Selina Katumba was Uganda's star bagging 11 gold medals to inspire the Dolphins  to a 5th place finish at the annual Kenya Swimming Federation Long Course National Age Group and Open Championship at the Kasarani pool, Nairobi, over the weekend.

The 11 year old Agakhan High School, year 7 student was in top form winning the 50 (37.86) and 100m (1:23.38) backstroke events, as well as the 50 (35.23) and 100m (1:225.97) Butterfly races.

She also clocked 41.60 and 1:33.86 to claim gold in the Breaststroke events over the same distances respectively in the championship that attracted 56 teams.

Katumba, also grabbed gold in the 50 (31.47) and 100m (1:09.20) freestyle events on top of coming first in the 200m (2:58.65) Individual Medley and the 200m freestyle relay races. She was also on the 200m freestyle and Medley relay teams that also won gold on top of the Individual girls trophy in her category.

Another Dolphin Arnold Kisulo, 16, also proved master of the Backstroke races taking gold in the 50 (29.60), 100 (1:05.98) and 200m (2:27.02) races.

Another top performer from Uganda was Seals Club's Nuwa Senkebe Serunjogi who proved to be an expert in the long races, taking 3 gold.

15 year old Senkebe, came first in the 400 (4:54.94), 800 (10.11.07) and 1500m (19:33.28), Freestyle races on top of a bronze in the 200m (2:39.02) Butterfly race.

The Seals relay team of Ann Ingabire, Chiara Kagugube, Mpeera Daya and Nabatanzi Ssinzi managed a silver behind their Dolphins counterparts;Lynn Ainembabazi, Selina Katumba, Suubi Byansi and Kirabo Namutebi who took gold in the girls 10-11 years old category.

The Dolphins' team of Samora Lumonya, Darren Samula, Siegfred Katumwa and Rapahel Sine took silver in 2:41.00 ahead of the Seals' Josiah Ssempa, Nuwa Senkebe, Louis Wolimbwa and Kanchela Chisela who won bronze in the boy's category over the same distance.

Other medal winners included Katumwa Siegfred; 1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze, Tendo Mukalazi; 2 Bronze, Kirabo Namutebi; 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze, Lynn Ainembabazi; 2 Gold in relays, Suubi Byansi; 2 Gold in relays, Darren Samula; 1 Silver, Adnand Kabuye; 1 Silver, Francine Gasasira; 1 silver, 2 Bronze in relays, Kyla Mpiima; 1 Silver, 2 Bronze, Samora Lumonya: 1 Silver, Hannat Nakimuli: 2 Bronze Kenyagi davida : 2 Bronze , Raphael Sine;  1 Silver.
 
Men team scores
 
1 Bandari Swim Club 571. 50pts

2 Mombasa Aquatics 501

3 Dolphins Swim Club Kampala 180

4 Nyali Primary School & Kinder 147

5 Aga Khan Academy Nairobi 138

6 Kenya School of Swimming 134

7 Seals Swim Club - Kla 75

Women team scores

1 Mombasa Aquatics 338. 50pts

2 Hillcrest International School 333. 50

3 Kenya School of Swimming 254. 50

4 Dolphins Swim Club Kampala 163

5 Loreto Convent Valley Road 132

6 Braeside School 117

7 Bandari Swim Club 114. 50

8 Seahorses Swim Team 113

9 Seals Swim Club - Kla 80. 50

10 Dolphins Swim Club - Msa