Young Mombasa swimmer Emily Muteti made the headlines of the day after she shattered eight national records at the Coast Open and Age Group swimming championships entered its second day on Sartuday at Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa.
Muteti, who is 15, a swimmer at Mombasa Aquatic Swim Club was in a class of her own as she smashed 1,500m 14/15 and 400m 14/15m free style national records.
In 1,500m girls 14/15 years old, Muteti erased the previous record set by Tanzanian Gouri Kotecha on October 28, 2011 of 19 minutes 35.00 to become the new champion.
The new queen registered a time of 18 minutes 39.47 to set four records in 14/15, Junior, Open and All comers categories.
The youthful swimmer went ahead to set four more records in 400m in the girls 14/15 category where she rubbed the previous record of four minutes 44.24 set by Kotecha in 2007. The new record stand at 4.37.88.
“I am delighted to have broken eight national records and I am focused to break more before the conclusion of the championship tomorrow (Sunday),” said Muteti flanked by her coach of Mombasa Aquatic Swim Club Abdul Malik.
Malik was full of praise for Muteti saying her swimming skills will take her places.
“Muteti has improved a lot in recent years becoming one of the best women swimmers in the country,” added Malik.
In boy’s 12/13 years 1,500m free style, Nabil Shikely of Mombasa Academy easy won the race with a time of 20.43.43 with Mansoor Khan of Mombasa Aquatic settling for the second slot with 21.45.19. Jorome Waudo clocked 22.42.56 for the third position.
In boy’s 12/13 years 400m free style Shaan Vora of Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa emerged victorious with a time of 5.05.16 while Mansoor Khan (Mombasa Aquatic) and Dolphin’s Njau Njuguna clocked 5.24.78 and 5.28.97 for the second and third positions respectively.
In boy’s 14/15 years 400m free style, Naahil Harunani of Mombasa Aquatic was unstoppable as he timed 4.45.46 to win the race. Matteo Rosafio of Mombasa Academy and Mohammd Suleiman of Blue Ocean Swim Club clocked 4.47.99 and 5.14.71 in that order.
In 400m free style relay for boys 16 and over, Mombasa Academy’s team of Tory Pragassa, Naim Bayusuf, Omar Talib and Singh Alek timed 4.28.49 to win the event. Kevin Kori, Abdallah Mansoor, Mohammed Zubeir and Toya Noel of Bandari Swim Club clocked 4.49.12 for the second positions.
The championships, which started on Friday ends this afternoon.
The swimmers were preparing for the National Age Group Championships to be held at the same venue on October 25-27.