Kenyans splash their way into swimming history

By OSCAR PILIPILI

"Sometimes there are no sweet words to describe an achievement, but being the first Kenyan woman to claim a continental medal is just amazing."

Those were the words of swimming sensation Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, 14, after she finished third to claim a 100m freestyle bronze (58.72) at the African Swimming Championships in South Africa.

The UK-based swimmer was ecstatic after she broke the jinx of Kenyan women’s failure to bag a continental medal in the history of swimming.

History maker: Achieng Ajulu-Bushell competes in a past gala in Nairobi. She won bronze in Africa Championships in South Africa.

"It was a very great moment and I’m very happy about the achievement. I hope to continue to do well in the rest of the competition."

Ajulu-Bushell made her debut in the continental show during the 2006 edition in Senegal where she set history as the youngest swimmer ever to grace the showpiece at the aged of 12. She won the admiration of fans at the Senegalese capital Dakar with eel-like moves in the pool that earned her the nickname "Little Queen".

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Her achievement is likely to motivate the rest of Kenyan women and the whole team in general in the eight-day competition set to end on December 8.

It was a flying start for Kenya with talismanic swimmer Jason Dunford bagging a gold and silver on the opening day of the Championships in Johannesburg.

Dunford retained the 50m backstroke title that he won in Senegal when he powered his way to gold position in 26.73 seconds.

Claimed silver

South African Darren Murray (26.85) claimed silver with Tunisia’s 1,500m Olympic Champion Ous Mellouli (26.92) bagging bronze.

Jason had earlier claimed 200m freestyle in a time of 1:52.06 in the event that was won by Mellouli (1:50.28) and bronze went to home swimmer Riaan Schoeman who was placed in a time of 1:52.76.

And late last evening, Dunford increased his medal tally to three after he won 100m butterfly gold in a time of 52.47.

Pina Ercolano failed again to break through to the medal brackets after she recorded 2:21.70min to finish fifth in 200m freestyle.

Aquatic wonder: Jason Dunford during the Beijing Olympic Games. The 21-year-old has bagged two gold and a silver medal in the ongoing African Swimming Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa. Photos: File/Standard

honours

Team manager Winnie Kamau said they expect more medals on Tuesday with Dunford swimming in his specialities, 100m freestyle and 50m butterfly.

Others to swim are Ajulu-Achieng (50m free) and Akshay Shah (200m backstroke).

Home girl Melissa Corfe collected the first gold medal of the six-day showpiece, when she took the honors in the 100 meters freestyle in 58.10 followed by Tunisian Sarra Chahed (58.21) and Ajulu-Bushell (58.76).

The Kenyans fired a warning shot when seven of their swimmers reached respective finals on the first day of competition.

Mombasa-based swimmer Sylvia Brunlehner broke three national records in the 50m backstroke that she finished sixth in a time of 33.25. The time was better than the previous open and junior record of 34.19 set by Ajulu in 2007.

She also erased 14-15 age category record of 34.57 until then held by Rachita Shah who is also a member of the team. Shah was eighth in the race.

Coach Fakhry Mansoor said they are missing Dunford’s younger brother- David- who won two gold and silver in Senegal.

"We wish he were here but still we’re hopeful of surpassing the Senegal results when Kenya won nine medals," Mansoor said.

"What we need to do is to encourage our girls to win medals," said the coach.