Maria Bianchi /HAONDOUTOpen water swimming is different from conventional swimming. It features long distances of between 3km and 10km, as opposed to the common freestyle, butterfly and breaststroke races.
Kenya Aquatics executive committee member Heize Kahindo said Bianchi, who has won a four-year scholarship in Hungary, will compete in the 3km category alongside Swaleh Taib, Ariel Joseph and Serah Mawira.
Victoria Okumu will be in the 5km race alongside Igbal Bayusuf, while Samir Bachelani will compete in the 10km category.
They will be joined by Sara Mose and Imara Bella Thorpe (freestyle), Haniel Kudwoli (breaststroke) and Stephen Ndegwa (butterfly).
Kahindo has urged swimmers to take up open water swimming.
“This is something new which we are focusing on. I believe we will get very good swimmers in that regard in the next couple of years,” noted Kahindo.
Meanwhile, 30 clubs will compete at the Kiambu County Aquatic Association Inter-clubs championships slated for Regis School, Runda, on August 23-24.
The first event on the 2025/2026 season will feature Aga Khan School, Crawford International, Woodcreek, Sabis, Aqua Sharks, Infinity, Premier Academy, Liz Wanyoike School, Beapro, Poisedon, Braeburn, Supermarlin, Light International and MPesa Academy.
Kiambu Aquatics’ Trizah Wanjiku expects over 2000 swimmers at the two-day championships.
“I’m expecting a big turnout, this being the first event of the new season. From the conversations I have had with some coaches, it’s going to be competitive. I believe the teams will want to lay down a marker for the new season,” said Wanjiku.
Elsewhere, there will be an awards ceremony slated for August 9 to award the best-performing clubs in the just-concluded 2024/25 season. Orca lead the standings with 439 points.
