Condoleezza Nakazibwe tested her readiness for the Commonwealth Games at the May 29-31 Kenya Aquatics National Swimming Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.
The para-swimmer, who lost her lower left arm in a motor accident in 2019, showed strength and resilience by taking part in eight individual long course events and three relays for her club Gators.
The Kasarani competition came in just under three months since she competed at the World Para Swimming Series in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy in March where her performance secured a bipartite slot to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
‘The competition was very involving and competitive,’ the 13 year old who competed against physically able colleagues in Kasarani and kept within range of her best times in various events, said.
‘I believe after this competition that I am in the right place to give my best in Glasgow. The competition has given me a way to set my times and cut them,’ she added.
Coach Muzafaru Muwanguzi intends to give her every opportunity to learn and grow.
‘Condoleezza is still a little girl and she is still learning a lot. We need to set our goals right for the Commonwealth Games because she is competing in a really competitive class (S9),’ Muwanguzi said.
Nakazibwe, who competed in the 12-13 age group in Kasarani, also shared that she is now a brand ambassador for swimming wear manufacturers Taupoc.
‘Being a brand ambassador of something is not a small deal. It is a nice opportunity that I have taken on and Taupoc will help me push myself to higher limits. I love the colours of the costume and this has boosted my confidence,’ she added.
Individually, Nakazibwe competed in the 200m IM (3:19.89), 200m (3:35.13) and 50m (41.48) butterfly, 200m (4:07.62) and 50m (52.30) breaststroke, 50m backstroke (45.48), plus the 100m (1:21.68) and 50m (35.38) freestyle races.
She also combined with Carissa Komugisha, Berekiah Lutaaya, and Noel Ateesa as they finished third behind Dolphins and Imara in their age group’s mixed; 4x50m freestyle (2:11.04), 4x50m medley (2:32.44), and 4x100m medley relay (5:47.92) relays.
‘We are okay with how we performed because we brought a young team and also gave an opportunity to some of the swimmers that have not travelled to compete at this level.
‘As a club, we are chasing sustainability – how we can perform without some of our best and senior swimmers. To a larger extent we are happy with what we have seen,’ Muwanguzi said about Gators general performance that saw them finish fourth overall with 133.5 points among 81 clubs. They also had five gold, 14 silver, and 10 bronze medals.