A silver lining for Achieng

By Oscar Pilipili

Kenya star Achieng Ajulu-Bushell wrapped up her medal rush with a silver in the Africa Swimming Championships in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The 14-year-old clocked 26.88sec to finish second in the 50m freestyle with compatriot Sylvia Brunlehner coming home sixth in 28.38.

Ramadhan Vyombo, who was tipped to bag a medal in the 50m freestyle, could only manage fourth position in 24.16 as pool action ended at Ellis Park Aquatics Centre in Johannesburg on Friday.

Achieng Ajulu-Bushell during the African Swimming Championships that ended yesterday in Johannesburg, South Africa. Picture: Wessel Oosthuizen/SASPA

The 400m medley relay team of Ajulu-Bushell, Pina Ercolano, Rachita Shah and Brunlehner finished fourth (4:47.92).

Ajulu-Bushell’s performance saw her individual medals tally increase to five (two gold, one silver and two bronze) in the championships that Kenya entered seven swimmers.

Kenya has harvested 10 medals (five gold, three silver and two bronze) for third place overall in the table standings.

Individual

Jason Dunford bagged five individual medals (three gold and two silver) while the 200m medley relay team of Ajulu-Bushell, Ercolano, Shah and Brunlehner claimed bronze. Team manager, Winnie Kamau, said they were happy to beat the target of nine medals set two years ago in Senegal.

"They have done really well considering it was a small group," she told FeverPitch on a telephone from Johannesburg on Saturday.

"We’re looking forward to a better show when Kenya hosts the 2010 championships," she said.

The continental event ends today with 5km open water event where national triathlon champion Brunlehner will be the sole competitor from Kenya.

Coach Mansoor Fakhry has kept his fingers crossed over Brunlehner’s prospects in the event.

"I know it will be tough for Brunlehner because all the top swimmers are present but we’ll have to wait and see how she performs," Fakhry said.

Competitor

This is the first time Kenya has entered a competitor in the event at the international level.

The team is scheduled to return on Tuesday (5.45am) but will be minus multiple gold medallists Dunford and Ajulu-Bushell.

Dunford left the championships midway on Thursday to concentrate on exams at Stanford University in the US while Ajulu-Bushell departed on Saturday for her UK base for the same reason.

"Dunford and Ajulu-Bushell will not be with us when we return but they are expected to come to Nairobi on December 15," Kamau said.