Overview:
In Sheffield city, Husnah Kukundakwe participated in nine where she qualified for the finals in six events at the 2023 British Para-swimming meet.
Uganda’s only classified para-swimmer Husnah Kukundakwe continues to trail-blaze as the 15-year-old comfortably sets and break records at enviable lightening pace.
Kukundakwe is fresh from the United Kingdom where she raced in nine competitive events at the British para-swimming meet which is a part of the para swimming world series.
Accompanied by her coach Muzafaru Muwanguzi and the manager-cum-beloved mother Hashima Batamuriza, Kukundakwe set her priorities right.
As she dived to warm in the waters of the lavish Ponds Forge swimming complex located in Sheffield city, her objectives very clear and know.
Ranking aloft was to get a classification, qualify for the 2023 World Championships as well as improve on her timings in the different races.
“It was great to do the classification races. I felt overwhelmed and happy. Improving my seasonal best times was also a great feat but best of all was qualification to the world championships” she revealed to Kawowo Sports upon arrival to Uganda at the lake side Entebbe International Airport.
Upon return to motherland Uganda, Kukundakwe sighed with relief and excitement, inhaling the moist air as she alighted the stairs of KLM Airlines vessel.
“I am happy for myself, the coach and mother (manager) as well as everybody who has supported me in one way or another” she added.
Kukundakwe is classified in S8 category and set her seasonal best times over 50m breaststroke (44:56) and 100m breaststroke (1:30:50).
She was equally impressive in the 100m Freestyle with a timing of 1:25:04, 100m Backstroke 1:34:24, 50m Backstroke 44:56, 50m Butterfly (40:36), 200IM (3:12.91), 50m Freestyle (35:52) and 100m Butterfly (1:36:80).
Her coach Muwanguzi was left a delighted party not only for attaining the classification, but also, he positing impressive times in Sheffield city.
“Husnah (Kukundakawe) has continued to defy odds and perform exceptionally well. In Sheffield, she managed to get an S8 classification rating. This was a milestone attained. She was also fast in the waters as we look forward future events as the world championships” Muwanguzi revealed.
Kukundakwe’s mother who is also the manager, Bamuturiza noted that the classification was long over-due.
“All along, we have been yearning for this classification. Husnah now knows her class to race which she will specialize and perform better” the manager noted.
In Sheffield city, Kukundakwe participated in nine where she qualified for the finals in six events.
She made the grade for the world championships in 3 events in 200m, 100 breaststroke and 50m backstroke.
Kukundakwe had a congential limb impairment that left her with no right lower arm.
Her debut appearance at the world championships was in London city at the 2019 World para swimming championships.
Kukundakwe’s performances in Sheffield
- S8 100m Freestyle 1:25.04
- S8 100m Backstroke 1:34.24
- SB8 50m Breaststroke 41.39
- S8 50m Backstroke 44.56
- SB8 100m Breaststroke 1:30.50
- S8 50m Butterfly 40.36
- SM8 200IM 3:12.91
- S8 50m Freestyle 35.52
- S8 100m Butterfly 1:36.80