Swimming: Nyali and Oshwal swimmers shine during Coast gala

CASA NOVIE SWIMMING SWIMMING GALA IN MOMBASA Khadija Chao of MM Shah Primary school goes to the finishing line in 25 metres free style during Casa Novies swimming gala held at Coast Academy in Mombasa. 16th September 2017. Photo Omondi Onyango/Standard

Nyali Primary School and Oshwal Academy Mombasa were the teams to beat during the Coast Novices swimming championships at Coast Academy.

Nyali's boys swept all the top three positions in the 8-9 years 25m backstroke race with Allan Kipkemoi winning in 24.17 seconds. Gift Beremy and Hamid Ahmed clocked 24.91 and 26.13 for the top three spots.

In boys' seven years 25m backstroke, Oshwal Academy swept the boards with Khalid Bayusuf winning in a time of 27.37 seconds. Omar Bayusuf was second in 28.71, while Romir Doshi (28.99) was third.

Gracious Wangui of Loreto Convent Mombasa won the girls' eight years 25m backstroke title after registering 24.63 seconds. Lindsey Nduta of Nyali Primary was second in 25.69, while Najma Farah of Oshwal Academy Mombasa timed 25.70 for a bronze medal.

Sylvia Onunga added another trophy for Loreto after she won the girls' 10-11 years 50m butterfly. She registered 49.40 for her victory. Anika Adie, also from Loreto, timed 51.31 to finish second, while Asmara Dhalla of Mombasa Aquatics was third in 53.23.

In girls' 10-11 years 50m backstroke, Neila Walker of newcomers Light Academy Mombasa won in a time of 52.00 seconds. Sylvia Onunga and Anima Adie, both from Loreto Convent Mombasa, clocked 52.81 and 56.06 respectively.

In girls' 12-13 years 50m backstroke, Tanisha Chebet of Nyali Primary was the girl to beat after she touched the wall in 50.56 seconds. MM Shah's Magdalene Atieno finished second in 58.08, while Nyali's Marion Ogao clocked 1:01.22 for a third-place finish.

The gala attracted swimmers from Blue Ocean swim club, Braeburn Mombasa International, Coast Swim Club Nyali, Jaffery Academy Mombasa, Kilifi’s Kivukoni Creek Club, and Light academies from Mombasa and Malindi.

Others included Loreto Convent Mombasa, MM Shah Mombasa. and Nyali Primary School. [Ernest Ndunda]