Coast-based swimmer Stephen Ndegwa at a past event/HANDOUT Coast-based swimmer Stephen Ndegwa has set his sights on the 2026 Commonwealth Games and the World short-course Championships in China
The 22-year-old swimmer was in superb form during the National Open Water and Shortcourse Championships last weekend in Mombasa.
Coach Fakry Mansoor revealed that Ndegwa's strategy for the new year is to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the short-course championship in China.
"He is in good form, and from the performance last weekend, he can only get better,” noted Mansoor.
The Bandari-based swimmer will be leveraging on his past performances at the world events in Budapest in 2024 and in Singapore this year, where he put up a strong showing.
"He has experience from swimming at major events, so he will not experience stage fright come the championship," the coach said.
Mansoor said Ndegwa's long-term goal will be to grace the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles.
“His ambition is to be there for his first Olympics in 2028 and by gracing the Commonwealth Games next year, and the World Short Course. Besides, a possible appearance at the African Games will build his capacity come the Olympics in two years.
In the process of winning the 50m backstroke, Ndegwa smashed three Kenyan records in one lightning sprint. He stopped the clock at 25.36, which now stands as the new all-comers record, open record and 16 years and over record.
His swim takes down the long-standing Open and 16 years and over records set by Jason Dunford on April 7, 2006, in Shanghai. That mark of 25.79 had held firm for almost two decades until Stephen powered past it.
He also broke the all-comers record, which he himself set earlier this season at Aga Khan Academy, with a time of 26.54, erasing the previous mark by a second.
Kenya Aquatics Secretary General, Collins Marigiri, hailed the championship as a major success and a strong wrap to the federation's calendar year.
Mombasa Aquatics finished top of the overall medal count with 75 medals, with Braeburn Swimming Club on 67, and Bandari Swim Club third on 55.
