Dunford through to semi-finals, triathletes out on technicality

Kenyan swimmer Jason Dunford (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Jason Dunford sealed his place in the 50-metre butterfly semi-final that was due to be held at 10pm last night.

Dunford, who won the gold medal in the category in New Delhi in 2010, finished second in the sixth heat in 23.76 second.

Homeboy and favourite Bround Benjamin of England topped the charts in 23.17 as South Africa’s Le Closs Chad, the championships record holder, finished third in 23.65 seconds

The semi-final was set for 10pm Kenyan time last night.

Dunford, who finished fourth in 100m butterfly contest in India in 2010, said: “I did not strain as I had to save my energy for the semi-finals tonight (yesterday). I am optimistic of doing well,” said Dunford.

Jason and his brother David have been the face of Kenyan swimming at the global stage for over a decade. Their family has also supported the swimming association materially and morally.

It was a bad afternoon for Kenyan swimmer Rebecca Kamau, who was eliminated in the breaststroke race after placing 19 in 3.83 seconds, missing the semi-final place by three slots.

She still has a chance to redeem her performance when she competes in 100m and 200m breaststroke heats.

In triathlon, Kenyan female duo of Haniva Said and Jopska Deboha were technically knocked out of the contest in the bike after they were lapped.

The lapping rule, which was introduced in Glasgow, generated reactions from triathlon officials, who said it’s fair.

“It’s not good since more than 20 others were lapped in the bike section,” said Christine Omondi, an official of triathlon.

By last evening, Kenya’s hopes lied on Swaleh Balala and Vincent Ochieng’. De Boer Jessie Emma, Swaleh Balala and Vincent Ochieng’ alongside Helen Elizabeth Kinuthia will fly the national flag.

They are relishing their first international duty when they compete in the tri-event discipline here and will feature in three events, swimming, (1.5km), cycling (40km) and running (10km).

The spectators with the best view at Strathclyde Country Park are a couple of swans paddling in the shallows, intrigued by the churning line of swimmer out in the middle of the lake.