Kenya to field 73 Masters' swimmers at next weekend's Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championships

Emmanuel Kibagendi of Genesis Sports Limited pictured during the recent National Swimming Championship.

Kenya will be represented by 73 swimmers in the Masters category at the 10th Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championships, taking place from October 16 to 19 at the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium.

The Masters category, open to swimmers aged 25 and above, will highlight the resilience and spirit of seasoned athletes.

Among the swimmers is Esther Kariuki,  who, at 74, is a living testament that age is no barrier to the pool.

Other swimmers expected to represent Kenya include those over 50 years old, such as Sally Ndiri, Wanja Michuki, Anthony Ng'eno, Carol Mbutura, and Isaac Litaba.

Su Kahumbu and Julian Kajwang' will captain the women's team with Leland Salano and Geoffrey Watene guiding the men's category side.

The squad will be under the stewardship of team manager Winnie Warui, assisted by Nasser Motha, with head coach Gedion Kioko overseeing technical preparations.

Jeremy Ndung’u will be the assistant coach for the Masters team.

Omar Ali Omar, Kenya Aquatics technical director, is delighted with the increasing number of Masters swimmers.

"This is the largest Masters squad ever assembled, reflecting on the sports remarkable growth. It shows that swimming is no longer a fringe pursuit. It's becoming part of Kenya's sporting culture,"   said Omar.

Omar emphasised the broader significance of the event, noting that swimming should be embraced as a national agenda, especially in combating lifestyle-related diseases.

“Swimming works every part of the body, yet remains one of the lowest-impact sports in terms of injury. It promotes fitness and is fun—Kenya needs to embrace it fully," he said.

Looking beyond Kasarani, the Masters' calendar remains packed.

The next stop will be the Kiambu Aquatics Annual Masters' Swimming Championship, scheduled for  November 29 at the Potterhouse School heated pool in Runda Estate.

The event is a qualifier for the 41st South Africa National Masters' Swimming Championship in March 2026 and the Kenya Aquatics National Masters' Swimming Championship in April 2026 in Mombasa.