Genesis Sports’ UK-based swimmer Aariana Barchha in action at the past Nationals in Kasarani/HANDOUTUnited Kingdom-based swimmer Aariana Barcha hopes to win four titles at the 10th Africa Aquatics Zone 3 championship slated for Kasarani Aquatic Centre between October 16 and 19.
Barcha will compete in the 100m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 100m backstroke and 200m backstroke events, where endurance, precision and mental toughness are critical.
"Medium-distance races test every part of you—your lungs, your strength, your technique and even your patience,” she explains. “It’s where I feel I belong."
Barcha trains at the prestigious City of Southampton Swimming Club, established in 1963 and home to around 250 members.
Under head coach Matt Heathcock, Southampton has produced swimmers who’ve competed at England nationals, European Aquatics, Commonwealth and the Olympics.
Barcha observed that training in the United Kingdom has exposed her to elite training and a solid performance environment, interacting with top coaches.
“Swimming in that part of the world is top-level. The interactions with the coaches and during competitions have enabled me to improve,” she said.
Her weekly routine is gruelling—up to 12 sessions mixing pool time, gym work, strength conditioning and dryland drills.
Locally, she swims at Genesis Sports under Alex Kaindi.
Kaindi said the sky is the limit for the young swimmer.
“I remember when we first started coaching her in 2023, we could tell she wasn’t just another age-group swimmer. She had something special,” observed Kaindi.
"Aariana is one of the most disciplined swimmers I’ve ever worked with. She listens, she applies, she learns. Discipline is what separates good athletes from great ones, and she has it.”
Kaindi, an American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Level 4 certified coach, will lead five of his charges into the championship.
They include Emmanuel Kibagendi and Jeff Muturi, plus two masters swimmers.
