Swimmers shine at Silverfin Pentathlon ahead of Uganda Nationals
The pentathlon—a five-event race—requires all swimmers to compete in four strokes of equal distance and a 100- or 200-meter individual medley.
Boys dive in for one of the races during the Silverfin Pentathlon at the KISU pool. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
Michael Nsubuga
Sports journalist @New Vision
Swimmers from various clubs got a perfect warm-up ahead of the upcoming nationals as the two-day Silverfin Pentathlon concluded on Sunday at the Kampala International School of Uganda (KISU) pool.
The pentathlon—a five-event race—requires all swimmers to compete in four strokes of equal distance and a 100- or 200-meter individual medley. The event offers athletes a valuable opportunity to test their performance and refine their strokes in a competitive environment.
In its fifth edition, the championship saw many swimmers register personal bests, setting the stage for even better performances at the Uganda Aquatics Nationals, a four-day event that also serves as a qualifier for major international competitions, including the World Championships in Singapore and the World Juniors in Romania.
Leading the boys’ 17 & over category was Dolphins’ Pendo Kaumi, fresh from representing Uganda at the Africa Juniors in Egypt. Kaumi clocked a personal best of 24.48 seconds to win the 50m freestyle, edging out Silverfin Academy’s John Trevor Kimuli and Dolphins’ Ian Aziku, who posted PBs of 25.20 and 25.21 seconds, respectively. Kaumi finished with 40 points, securing the overall individual accolade in his category.
Kyle Kimuli (left), Malcolm Nahamya (center) and Ethani Ssengooba pose with their awards after the Silverfin gala. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
In the girls’ 17 & over category, Gators’ Swagiah Mubiru dominated with 48 points, ahead of Silverfin’s Karla Mugisha (42 pts) and Esther Atto (24 pts). Mugisha, however, won the 50m freestyle with a time of 29.37 seconds.
In the boys’ 15–16 and 6–8 age groups, Dolphins’ Malcolm Nahamya (40 pts) and Jethro Emejeit (48 pts) came out on top. They were followed by Gators’ Ethani Ssengooba (38 pts), Torpedoes’ Kyle Kimuli (33 pts), Tumaini Aquatic Academy’s Jayden Kibwami, and Vision for Africa’s Gabriel Alba Nsanja, both with 23 points.
Blessing Namugga from Vision for Africa dominated the girls’ 6–8 category with 50 points, ahead of Gliders Swim Club’s Talisha Asianut (28 pts) and Lenora Asianut (26 pts).
In the girls’ 9–10 age group, Ozpreys’ Gianna Opolot (48 pts) edged out Aqua Akii’s Adams Aya, despite Aya winning the 50m backstroke with a time of 37.47 seconds. Opolot clocked 41.04, narrowly ahead of Otters’ Valeria Nassozi (41.14, 21 pts).
Aqua Akii’s Tzion Tamale topped the boys’ 9–10 category with 31 points, ahead of Silverfin’s Raan Batuk (27 pts) and Black Panthers’ Liam Kirabo Kaweesa (24 pts).
Otters’ Nisha Pearl Najjuma and Torpedoes’ Elijah Ayesiga led the 11–12 category, outperforming Jaguars’ Shivon Nagginda, Dolphins’ Jinan Nakato, Dolphins’ Manuel Ssemanda, and Silverfin’s Elisha Kato.
In the 13–14 girls’ category, Jaguars’ Marie Zarie Mbanga (32 pts) edged out Mary Peyton Suubi (32 pts)—also fresh from Egypt—and Ozpreys’ Gabriella Opolot (28 pts). On the boys’ side, Jonathan Kaweesa (Torpedoes), Arthur Nsubuga (Silverfin), and Orcas’ Elisha Karuhanga were the top performers.
In the girls’ 15–16 division, Paloma Kirabo, Alexis Akol, and Ariella Katusiime stood out.
The two-day event was proudly sponsored by DStv, Stanbic Bank, SchoolPay, among others.