Star Dunford takes centre stage

Undoubtedly, the 2010 Delhi went into history books as Kenya’s best ever Commonwealth Games outing after the country hauled 33 medals from the “Club” Games.

What was so encouraging was that swimming joined athletics and boxing as the only other events to have earned the country medals.

Its former Olympic Games 100m freestyle record holder Jason Dunford, who gave Kenya its maiden “Club” Games gold medal from the pool when he won the 50m butterfly event.

Kenya collected 12 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals from the Delhi Games. Their previous best show was at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games where Kenya won seven gold medals with two from boxing, four silver with two from boxing and five bronze with two from boxing.

Once again, Kenya will be banking on athletics, boxing, swimming and to some extend rugby sevens to supersede the Delhi Games medal tally.

Kenya expects its first medals at the 20th edition of the “Club” Games when its athletes compete in swimming, judo, triathlon, table tennis and weightlifting.

Dunford defends his 50m butterfly title at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

EASY GLIDE

Dunford, who expects an easy glide to the semi-finals, will be teaming up with Issa Abdalla over the distance. The country will also be crossing fingers when Hamdan Bayusuf plunges in men’s 100 backstroke.

Martha Opiyo and Rebecca Kamau will be competing in women’s 50m butterfly while Ger Ogot battles in women’s 100 butterfly.

“It’s good that I have hit form at the right time after a rather lukewarm last season. I am a lot stronger this season and I should defend my title and perhaps go for a hat trick of medals later,” said Dunford, who will be competing in 100m freestyle and butterfly.

Dunford said he has been trying to improve on his times and hopes he will go faster this time round after winning the 50m gold in Delhi in a time of 23.35. “I will be going for speed but that will also depend on what my rivals will be doing,” said Dunford. I just want to stay relaxed and hope for the best.”

Hopes will also be high when Swaleh Balala and Jess De Boer compete in men and women’s triathlon for the first time at the Strathclyde Country Park.

They will later team up with Vincent Ochieng and Elizabeth Kinuthia in team event on Saturday in triathlon event that involves swimming, cycling and running. “I know it’s going to be tough but we are good to go,” said Balala, who finished sixth at the 2011 All African Games in Mozambique.

In Judo, Ken Njagi (66kg) will meet A. Weithers from Barbados in the first round of the 66kg contest at the Secc Hall while Kenya face off Ireland in men’s triples in lawn bowls at Kelvingrove.

Kenya is also up against Uganda mixed team in badminton contest at Emirates Arena while Mercy Obiero, James Adede, Webster Lukose, Stephen Opondo and Arthur Oyim are in weightlifting action.