By Oscar Pilipili

Australia-based Kenyan star Silvia Brunlehner won impressive five individual gold and one silver medal in Confederation of Africa (CANA) Zone Three and Four Swimming gala held in Mozambique.

Kenya claimed a total of 31 medals that comprised of 10 gold, 13 silver and eight bronze.

Anita Field of Braeburn School Nairobi won five individual medals and three in relays to lead the under-14 age category.

Field’s package was made up of three silver and two bronze and she combined efforts with teammates to bag a gold, silver and bronze in relays. Emily Muteti of Mombasa Aquatics won three medals including gold in the 13-14 50m butterfly with a winning time of 31.53 just touching out her teammate Field who clocked 31.57 to claim silver.

Kira Evans of Banda School won three medals including gold in 100m backstroke where he registered 1:16.37.

Ger Ogot got silver in 200m butterfly, while Coral Hayes managed bronze.

In what could be dubbed the ‘race of the competition’ the under-14 girls’ 4 x 50 freestyle relay team of Muteti, Ogot, Ambaar Michaelo and Field captured the gold medal by touching out their fierce rivals from South Africa.

The stadium was left in roar after the two teams raced to the end with Kenyans quartet touching out the South Africans in 1:58.97.

"I was so nervous, but all I wanted to do was touch the wall first," said Field who swam the final leg of the relay with an impressive split of 28.70.

strong performance

The boys’ Under-14 put up a strong performance as Canada-based Kimani Maina (13-14) and Batian Thorpe (under-12) made their team proud by capturing five individual medals each.

Batian’s new personal best time of 2:23.55 in the 200m freestyle earned the 12 year old gold in his age group.

Talisa Lanoe, who is based in the UK, continued her success in backstroke events by capturing gold in both 100m and 200m events.

Tory Pragassa of Bandari Swim Team and Graham Walker of International School of Kenya won three silver medals each.

Kenya’s amazing performance earned them an overall fifth place finish just five points behind Zimbabwe.

South Africa were the overall winners with the host country of Mozambique finishing second followed by Botswana.

Meanwhile, 38 swimmers have been confirmed as part of Team Great Britain for this summer’s Olympic Games following trials in London.

The athletes were formally nominated to the British Olympic Association by British Swimming.

Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington and world champion Liam Tancock are among the 19 men and 19 women selected.

There are a number of slots yet to be filled on the Great Britain swimming team, with a second trials to come in June.

Daniel Fogg became only the third Briton to go inside the 15-minute mark when he won the 1500m in 14 minutes 55.30 seconds.