Marvellous Emily Muteti leads the way as age-group records fall

Mombasa Aquatics’ Emily Muteti in during the National age-group Open and Relays Long Course 100m Butterfly at Kasarani on February 27, 2015. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |

What you need to know:

  • Ajulu-Bushell’s nine-year-old 400m Individual Medley best time shredded
  • Alvin Omondi broke Mombasa swimmers’ dominance with the sixth record in the event that has attracted 500 swimmers.
  • Saahil, 17, finished second in 2:36.70 followed by Nuwa Serunjogi 2:39.02.

Thrills took centre stage as six national records tumbled at the ongoing National Age-groups, Open and Relays Swimming Championships at Kasarani.

International Emily Muteti led three other swimmers, Maahir Harunani, Karan Khangram and Muhammad Bilal in splashing away with five records in the three-day championships that ends Sunday.

Alvin Omondi broke Mombasa swimmers’ dominance with the sixth record in the event that has attracted 500 swimmers.

Muteti, Harunani and Khangram are from Mombasa Aquatic.

Bilal swam for Blue Ocean Swim Club while Omondi is from Kenya School of Swimming.

GOOD PERFORMANCE

It’s the 16-year-old Muteti who downed two records, clocking new times in girls’ 400m Individual Medley and girls’ 200m butterfly.

Muteti tore the field to shreds, tapping the wall in 5:37.06 minutes, in the 400m IM, to shatter the 10-year-old standing record of 5:47.65 by Achieng Ajulu-Bushell set in September 25, 2006 in South Africa.

Muteti brushed aside unattached Andala Makulo to second in 6:28.62 as Menina Nightingale of Kenton clocked 6:36.22 for third.

Muteti went for her second record, romping home in 2:39:02 in 200m fly, beating the old record of 2:43.90 set by Ajulu-Bushell in 2007 in South Africa.

Nasimiyu Khatundi of Kenya School of Swimming also tore into the old record, clocking 2:41.24 to settle second as Ravi Karia from Mombasa Aquatic came home third in 3:11.53.

“It’s not a bad start but my focus is on my main events coming up in the next two days,” said Muteti, who is eying good times in 100m and 50m free and free style events.

It as been a superlative two weeks for the 13-year-old  Bilal, who set a new record in 32.21 in boys’ 12-13 50m backstroke.  Bilal had two weeks ago set two national records in 50m back (30.82) and 100m back (1:07.60) at a championships in Mombasa.

The old record of 32.98 was set by Deeyn Shah in 2001 at the same course.  Alvin Omondi was second in 33.15 followed by Khangram in 34.64.

“I am still yearning for more records but I still need to continue polishing on my speed,” said Bilal, who is handled by Fauz Faraj as he prepares for the Africa Junior Championships due in September.

Harunani, 15, broke his brother Saahil’s record in Boys’ 200m butterfly, setting a new time of 2:28.10. 

Saahil’s held the old record of 2:28.65 set in August 2012.

Saahil, 17, finished second in 2:36.70 followed by Nuwa Serunjogi 2:39.02.

Interestingly, Alvin Omondi, 13, finished fourth in the event but his time of 2:43.34 was enough to set a new record in boys’12-13, erasing the previous time of 2:50.40 set by Mohamedali Jiwa in 2007 at the same pool.

Despite finishing second in 20:35.38, Khangram’s feat was enough to set a new national record in boys 12-13 in the 1,500m freestyle LC.  The winner Serunjogi from Uganda timed 19:33.28.