Victoria Okumu from the United States International University of Kenya emerged victorious in the highly competitive 1,500m freestyle event held at the University of Lagos swimming pool on Wednesday, September 25.
She faced fierce competition from Egypt’s Zelha Haytham, who put up a strong fight for the gold medal.
The race featured several talented swimmers, including Okumu, Haytham, and Sarah Ahmed from the American University in Cairo, along with Onwuchekwa Oyinwonuola from the University of Lagos.
Okumu made an explosive start, quickly establishing an early lead, while Haytham, swimming in lane five, closely trailed her.
Ahmed and Oyinwonuola struggled to keep up as the race progressed.
Midway through, Haytham momentarily overtook Okumu, but the Kenyan athlete regained her lead and pushed forward. Despite a promising start, Ahmed fell behind, leaving the contest for the top spot between Okumu and Haytham.
With just nine laps remaining, Okumu accelerated, creating a slight gap that she maintained until the finish line to secure the gold medal.
In the men’s 800m freestyle event, Egyptian swimmer Ali Mohammed from the American University in Cairo also claimed gold, with Uganda’s Mugisha Jacob from Makerere University taking silver and Ghana’s Colin Kekeli from the University of Ghana finishing in bronze.
Full Results:
800m Men’s Freestyle
1st: Ali Mohammed (American University in Cairo)
2nd: Mugisha Jacob (Makerere University, Uganda)
3rd: Colin Senam Kekeli (University of Ghana)
1500m Women’s Freestyle
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1st: Victoria Okumu (United States International University, Kenya)
2nd: Zelha Haytham (American University in Cairo)
3rd: Sarah Ahmed (American University in Cairo)
100m Women’s Freestyle
1st: Pour Hussein (American University in Cairo)
2nd: Peremoboere Kimiakigha (Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria)
3rd: Haya Zaha (American University in Cairo)
200m Butterfly Men
1st: Ahmed Tarec (American University in Cairo)
2nd: Ali Mohammed (American University in Cairo)
3rd: Colin Senam Kekeli (University of Ghana)
200m Butterfly Women
1st: Zelna Haytham (American University in Cairo)
2nd: Omoniyi Semilore (University of Lagos, Nigeria)
200m Men’s Individual Relay
1st: Ali Mohammed (American University in Cairo)
2nd: Karim Mohammed (American University in Cairo)
3rd: Mugisha Jacob (Makerere University, Uganda)
200m Women’s Individual Relay
1st: Sarah Ahmed (American University in Cairo)
2nd: Zeina Haytham (American University in Cairo)
3rd: Peremoboere Kimiakigha (Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria)
4 x 100m Mixed Medley Relay
1st: Team (American University in Cairo)
2nd: Team (United States International University, Kenya)
