Kiruri splashes to glory

By Oscar Pilipili

South Africa-based Roy Kiruri returned to local scene in style after he clocked 2 minutes 45.61 to win boys’ 12-13 age group  200m individual medley at Aga Khan High School Nairobi.

This was during Nairobi Swimming Association (NASA) Age Group Championships that rolled curtains down on the season 2011-12.

Swimming under the colors of his former school Braeburn, Kiruri who is studying at Hilton College in Kwazulu Natal, bursted off the start blocks with great power and maintained the lead throughout the event.

Marco-Aurel Pellegrini of Aqua Kenya Swimming Club touched the wall second in 2:48.06, followed by teammate Robert Ogborn who managed registered 2:51.82.

Makini School prodigy Francis Ogola starred in boys’ 10-11 200m individual medley race which he won in impressive time of 3:10.22. Aqua’s Kabir Bedi clocked 3:13.69, while Strathmore’s Atuhaire Ambala came third in 3:14.13.

stiff challenge

In the girls’ 8-9 100m individual medley, Cottar Ella of Banda School splashed to the wall first in 1:44.08 after shrugging off stiff challenge from Ramoina Murugu of Aqua who was placed second in 1:44.38. Lucia Ruchti of Germany School came third in 1:46.84.

The boys’ 8-9 100m individual medley was won by Edward Roest of Kenton College who clocked 1:38.47, while Strathmore’s Bryan Karanja was placed a distant second in 1:54.88 and Gai Ogasawara of International School of Kenya came third in a time of  1:57.28.

closely contested

Girls’ 10-11 50m backstroke honours went to Virginia Okumu of Braeside after she finished the race ahead of competitors in 42.51.

Hadassa Gichovi of Loreto Convent Valley Road (43.64) and Chantalle Mukabi of Otters (44.00) were second and third.

Girls’ 12-13 50m backstroke was a closely contested affair but Wambui Wambugu of Otters emerged the best after she clinched the event in 35.44. Her closest challenger Mukabi was the first runner-up clocking 36.84, while Alethea Sande was third in 37.86.

Martha Opiyo of Braeside starred in girls’ 14-15 50m backstroke race which she won in a time of 34.44 and she was followed by Alesa Ilako of Otters (37.13) and Nyara Mohata of Braeburn (40.51).

Boys’ 12-13 50m backstroke saw Tama Mule unleash his best kick to win the race in 37.25 while Kiruri finished second in 37.99 and Banda’s Richard Vecchio was third in 38.23.

Meanwhile, Confederation of African Swimming has handed Kenya the rights to host African Senior Championships in September.

Kenya Swimming Federation public relations officer Winnie Kamau said the Championships bring together top 300 swimmers from the continent.