Kenya swimming coach Fakry Mansoor is bullish that Ridwan Abubakar and Maria Brunlehner will reach the semis of their respective events at the Paris Olympics.
Speaking Thursday, he said Abubakar has intensified his preparations by taking part in university competitions in the United Kingdom ahead of the extravaganza in the French capital.
“Both swimmers are in good form. I am in contact with them daily and I am aware of their training programme. Maria is already in Miramas intensifying her preparations. Honestly, If they can get to the semifinals it will be a big plus for us and the country,” said Mansoor
Ridhwan Abubakar, who is a student at the prestigious University of Bath, has been posting good times not only in the United Kingdom but also in Europe.
He set a new Kenya national record in the 400m freestyle, where he clocked 4:04.39, securing second place and breaking his previous record of 4:05.65 at the Međunarodno Plivačko National Swimming Championship in Croatia
In the 2023 Coimbra swimming Championship in Portugal, he took part in the 100m and 200m freestyle races, clocking impressive times of 52.87 and 1:56.29, and subsequently scored 696 and 674 FINA points respectively. Mansoor said Abubakar will compete in the 400m freestyle which starts on July 27. Abubakar was expected to join the Miramas Camp over the weekend.
“ The various races he has competed in the United Kingdom and across Europe will hold him in good stead for the games. He has trained hard and is relishing the battle,” said Mansoor
This will be Abubakar’s first appearance at the Olympics but he is not unfazed by the presence of top swimmers from Australia, the USA and Great Britain.
“ There is nothing to fear. There is mutual respect but no fear of the other swimmers.”
On her part, Brunlehner will be keen to break her 50m national record of 26:12, which she set this year in the World Championships held in Doha in February.
