2 reasons why Mombasa is home to great swimmers

 

 

Emily Muteti of Mombasa Aquatic Swim Club. Photo: Gideon Maundu

Kenya’s best swimmers come from the coast region.

The business of kupiga maji (swimming) at the Coast has churned out top talent.

“I can bet that Coast has the best swimmers in the country. One of the factors that has given our swimmers a head start is the good weather which allows swimming throughout the year,” said coach Malik Mzee.

According to Malik, availability of swimming facilities and access to the ocean is another important factor.

Some of the top talents from the region include Emily Muteti, Issa Abdalla, Tory Pragassa, Saahil Haruni and Ambaar Michaelo.

Praggassa competed at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow but failed to qualify for the semifinals stage — he finished 26th in both the 50m breaststroke and 100m breaststroke heats, and 39th in the 50m freestyle heats.

Previously, he broke five national junior records at the 2012 Coast Amateur Swimming Association (CASA) Inter Clubs Swimming Championship in Mombasa.

On June 4, 2012, he clocked 2:06.50 in the 14–15 years’ 200m freestyle, beating the previous junior and boys’ 2:06.55 record set by David Dunford on March 13, 2004.

Harunani, 17, set two new records in 50 and 100 metres butterfly events during the secondary schools Term One games at Oshwal Academy in April last year.

Malik who has coached prominent swimmers like Nabil Shikelly and Nobby Obuya observes that, “Swimming in the ocean makes one a good swimmer, but practicing in a swimming pool makes a champion. The pool, he says, enables one to familiarise with the rules that make a champion.” However, those swimming in the ocean have been cautioned against venturing deep, especially when the tides are high.