Emmanuel Kibagendi is keen to make Team Kenya to the World Aquatics Swimming Championship in Budapest in December.
The Engineering graduate bagged the Swimmer of the Year trophy in the 16 and over category at the Kiambu Aquatics Awards Gala held over the weekend.
He said he has had a successful campaign but the best is yet to come. "Next season, I aim to train rigorously and earn a spot on the national team and represent Kenya at international events like the World Aquatics Championship in Budapest, Hungary, this December,” he added.
He added: “Last season has been one of the best in my swimming career, with personal best times in all strokes. The pinnacle was the 50m freestyle, completed in 28 seconds."
He said: "As I look forward to the upcoming season starting next month, my goal is to shave off another six seconds. Training under coach Alex Kaindi has been challenging yet immensely rewarding. I am grateful to Kiambu Aquatics for providing a platform that recognises swimmers, who are vital stakeholders in this industry."
Coach Kaindi emphasised Genesis Swimming Club’s dedication to nurturing both the athletic and personal development of its members.
“Most of our swimmers are university students sponsored by Genesis Sports Limited, a renowned sports equipment and wear shop in Nairobi. Beyond swimming, we focus on character building and ensuring a balance between academics and social life. Our mentorship program aims for excellence in both fields," he noted.
Kaindi also called on the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritise sports development.
Faith Buchera of M-Pesa Foundation won the Under-16 age category while Aga Khan's Abbas Noordin was the best performer in the 14-15 years category.
Nia Kihoro of Porterhouse was the outstanding performer in the girls' category. In addition to these honours, several special awards were presented, highlighting the broader contributions to the sport.
The Sportsmanship Award was given to Nailah Warutere from the Harpoons Swim Academy and Ongalo Hanwa(Woodcreek) for their exemplary conduct both in and out of the pool.
The Rookie of the Year titles went to Gift Mutanu (Kuraiha Primary) and Chris Mugo (Supermarlins).
Teresiah Waithira, Kiambu Aquatics Admin was named Volunteer of the Year and applauded for her invaluable support and dedication.