Swimming: Brunlehner picks up StarTimes July award

Maria Bruhlehner's mother receives award for the Startimes sports personality of the month of July on behalf of her daughter

Newly crowned StarTimes Sports Personality for the month of July Maria Brunlehner has set her eyes on 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

The German-based swimmer was in superb form at the Africa Youth Games in Algiers in July, winning three medals; two gold (in the 50 metres and 100 metres freestyle) and one silver medal in the 50m breaststroke.

She set a championships record of 26.14 seconds in the 50m freestyle and repeated her feat in the 100m, where she posted 58.87 seconds. In the 50m breaststroke, she clocked 34.04 seconds, losing out narrowly to Morocco’s Imane Houda El Barodi, who tapped in 33.03.

Brunhelner’s exploits saw her earn a place in Kenya’s team to the Olympic Youth Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

She will also compete in the CANA Zone Three Championships in Khartoum, Sudan in November.

The 18-year-old, whose awards of 43-inch Digital TV Set, Sh100,000 in prize money were presented to her mother, said via Skype that she is humbled with the award adding that it will motivate her to continue winning.

“I did not see this coming. I’m excited because you guys have made my day.”                                              [Dennis Okeyo]