Victoria Okumu was the pick of the bunch as Kenya emerged second runners-up at the African Swimming Confederation (CANA) Zone 3 Swimming Championships in Kampala, Uganda over the weekend.
Okumu was in a class of her own as she grabbed three gold medals in the freestyle category for which she was named the best female swimmer of the three-day tournament.
Thomas Bifwoli finished second in the men's 100m backstroke, behind winner Collins Saliboko of Tanzania and ahead of third-placed Adnan Kabuye of Uganda.
Similarly, Maria Bianchi clinched silver in the girls' 50m breaststroke after finishing second behind Ugandan Mubiru Swagia and ahead of another Ugandan, Nsereko Nanette.
The competition brought together 175 swimmers from six Zone 3 countries, including Eritrea, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, and hosts Uganda.
Focus shifts to the Fina World Swimming Championships (25m) slated on December 16 - 21 in Abu Dhabi.
However, Kenya's participation in the global event is still shrouded in doubt following the wrangles within Kenya Swimming Federation and lack of funds.
The country almost missed out on the Zone 3 championships after failing to raise the funds for the logistical needs of 48 swimmers.
The threat of a lengthy ban by FINA continues to loom large following delayed elections.
A section of stakeholders have challenged the polls in court whereas others have urged Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed to disband the Interim Management Committee to pave way for elections.
