Africa-Press – Kenya. Maria Bianchi will use the county swimming events as a build-up for next year’s World Aquatic championships in Japan and Africa Swimming Championships in Egypt.
The teen sensation, who trains at the Blue Ocean Club in Mombasa, smashed the CASA 50m backstroke record after clocking 32.35 to erase her previous mark of 33.03.
She went on better her 50 m breaststroke record after clocking 36.86 to erase her old mark of 37.15 on Tuesday.
Bianchi’s coach Mohammed Yonaz said her target for next year is to swim in the two events next year.
“She is in good form and her target is to take part in the two events as she seeks to test herself against the best in the world as well as remain competitive,” said Yonza.
Yonaz admitted that Bianchi has also set her sights on various national records in 2022.
“One of our targets for the new year is to break a number of national records in the various strokes and I believe she has what it takes to do it,” he added.
Bianchi has been in fine form recently, winning seven gold medals at this month’s CANA Zone 3 Swimming Championships in Uganda.
Yonaz thus believes the best is yet to come from the teenager. “Remember she is only 15 and yet to enter her peak years. With the right support and exposure, she can go places and win this country more medals in the sport,” he added.
Yonaz called for the Ministry of Sport to end the wrangles bedeviling swimming and tap talent across the grassroots.
“It’s very sad to see the sport we love being dragged through the court and bad leadership yet we have talented swimmers in the country who just need exposure and leadership. This needs to be sorted out,” added Yonaz
Bianchi said she will take a break for the Christmas and New Year festivities and resume training in the new year.
“It has been a hectic last couple of two months but I am taking a break to recharge and be stronger next year.”
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