Maria Bianchi leads a 20-member swimming squad for the Africa Junior Swimming Championships slated next month in Mauritius.
Bianchi has been one of the most impressive swimmers, winning several medals at the CANA zone 3 championships in the last couple of years, and will be gunning to replicate her performance at the continental event in the Indian Ocean island.
The Mombasa-based swimmer is delighted to get the nod for her first big championship.
“I'm happy to get selected and it's a dream come true to represent the country. As a sport, we have gone through tough times in the last couple of years but I am happy things are looking up and I am looking forward to competing against the best of Africa. I want to fly our flag high in Mauritius," she said.
Bianchi was in outstanding form this season at the Kenya Secondary School Games held in Eldoret in April as well as events held in Mombasa this year.
Other top swimmers for the event include Nathan Matimu, Sara Mose, and Aker Mutinda. The team manager will be Elizabeth Chelagat.
Mohamed Ahmed, from Mombasa's Blue Ocean Swimming Club, will lead the technical team as head coach. Ahmed is known for incorporating modern scientific methods into his coaching.
In an interview, Ahmed described the selected squad as strong, and with three weeks prior to the championship, he is confident the swimmers will be competitive against Africa's best.
"Most of the swimmers are finalising their preparations with their respective coaches," said Ahmed.
Ahmed will be assisted by coach Mary Njogu from Braeburn Swimming Club, who brings with her extensive experience in coaching and international swim meets.
Braeburn Swimming Club, which recently won the overall Kenya Aquatics Nationals Time Trials at Kasarani, contributes a sizeable number of swimmers to the squad.
Meanwhile, preparations for the 8th Africa Aquatics Zone 3 swimming Championship scheduled next week in Kigali, Rwanda are in top gear and the team departs the country on Tuesday.
Squad to Mauritius: Girls—Sara Mose, Maria Bianchi, Bianca Jamal, Angel Samoei, Moige Kotut, Audrey Chebet, Ruth Linkhurst, Ameya Rana and Jasmine Pendo; Boys: Aker Mutinda, Haniel Kudwoli, Johari Masinde, Nathan Matimu, Victor Oketch, Hashim Sheikh, Hemed Awadh, Riyad Abubakar, Ameir Muravej, Erick Shivo, Michael Kalombo and Jeremy Kombe.
Open water championships: Iqbaal Bayusuf, Ali Nahdy and James Amore
