Nairobi, Kenya – October 19, 2025
The 10th Edition Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships concluded in spectacular fashion on Saturday, with Tanzania's Crissa Dillip cementing her place in swimming history by capturing her twelfth gold medal, while Team Uganda celebrated a commanding overall victory with an unprecedented 127-medal haul. The final day's competition featuring sprint breaststroke, explosive 50m freestyle finals, and championship-closing relay races brought four days of exceptional aquatic competition to a memorable conclusion at the Nairobi Aquatic Centre.
Crissa Dillip's extraordinary championships reached their pinnacle on the final day as the 14-year-old phenom added two more gold medals to her collection. She dominated the Girls 13-14 100m Breaststroke in 1:21.11 before sprinting to victory in the 50m Freestyle with a blistering 27.95. Her final tally of twelve gold medals and one silver from thirteen individual events represents the most dominant individual performance in Zone III championship history. Dillip's success spanned all four competitive strokes and multiple distances, showcasing versatility that places her among Africa's elite junior swimmers. Her consistency across four days of intense competition, maintaining peak performance in back-to-back events, demonstrates both physical conditioning and mental fortitude that belies her age.
Uganda's medal dominance was exemplified by multiple swimmers delivering golden performances on the final day. Jonathan Kaweesa capped his magnificent championships with gold in the Boys 13-14 50m Freestyle (25.77), bringing his personal haul to seven gold medals and eleven total medals. The 14-year-old's sustained excellence across backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, and individual medley disciplines established him as the most decorated male swimmer of the championships and a genuine multi-discipline threat.
Peyton Mary Suubi concluded her remarkable campaign with victory in the Girls 15-16 100m Breaststroke (1:18.42), securing her eighth gold medal of the championships. Suubi's ability to excel in distance freestyle, sprint butterfly, breaststroke, and individual medley events showcased the comprehensive skill set that defines championship swimmers. Her nine total medals represent one of the finest individual performances by a Ugandan swimmer in international competition.
Tara Kisawuzi added two more silver medals on the final day in the 100m Breaststroke (1:25.00) and 50m Freestyle (27.88), bringing her championship total to six gold and four silver medals. The 17-year-old's ten-medal haul across all four strokes demonstrated exceptional versatility, while her competitive performances in every final established her as one of the most complete swimmers in the region.
Kenya's swimmers delivered strong performances on the closing day, with Don Ndirangu capturing his eighth gold medal with victories in the Boys 12 & Under 100m Breaststroke (1:21.07) and 50m Freestyle (29.06). The 12-year-old's eight gold medals from nine events competed ranks among the championship's finest individual performances, showcasing the explosive speed and technical precision that will serve him well in future competitions.
Duini Caffini of Kenya concluded an excellent championships with two gold medals on the final day, winning both the Girls 17 & Over 100m Breaststroke (1:19.10) and 50m Freestyle (27.13). Her four gold medals overall highlighted Kenya's strength in the senior female categories, with Caffini's sprint speed and breaststroke prowess providing crucial points in the team standings.
Neo Olengo of Kenya added to his impressive medal collection with gold in the Boys 15-16 100m Breaststroke (1:09.30), bringing his championship total to four gold medals. Olengo's dominance in breaststroke events throughout the championships established him as one of the region's premier specialists in the discipline.
Uganda's Kyle Kaweesa delivered a commanding performance in the Boys 17 & Over 100m Breaststroke, winning in 1:07.83 ahead of teammate Namanya Nimusiima Ampaire (1:08.58). This victory secured Kaweesa's third gold medal of the championships and underlined Uganda's depth in senior male swimming.
The sprint freestyle finals provided explosive racing to conclude the individual competition. Uganda's Ethani Ssengooba blazed to victory in the Boys 15-16 50m Freestyle with 24.67, just ahead of Kenya's Victor Okech (25.15). Uganda's Jinan Nabuyungo Nakato claimed gold in the Girls 12 & Under 50m Freestyle (29.50), while Rahmah Kalungi Nakasule took the Girls 15-16 title in 28.29. These sprint victories showcased the explosive speed that has become a hallmark of Ugandan swimming.
The championship-closing 200m freestyle relay sessions delivered thrilling team competition befitting the occasion. Kenya's sprint relay specialists saved their best for last, with the Boys 15 & Over team producing a championship-best performance of 1:39.15 to claim gold. Their Girls 15 & Over quartet also impressed with victory in 1:54.30, demonstrating Kenya's particular strength in relay combinations and transitions.
Kenya's Boys 14 & Under relay team touched in 1:52.53 to claim gold, while their Girls 14 & Under team finished third. Tanzania's Girls 14 & Under relay squad produced an excellent performance to win in 2:03.49, with their Boys 14 & Under team claiming bronze. These relay results highlighted the competitive depth across multiple nations and age categories.
Tanzania's Heydleen Magashi concluded an impressive breakthrough championships with silver in both the 100m Breaststroke (1:24.97) and bronze in the 50m Freestyle (31.70), bringing her total to three gold, three silver, and two bronze medals. The 12-year-old's eight-medal haul established her as one of Tanzania's brightest junior prospects alongside the phenomenal Dillip.
Zara Marie Mbanga of Uganda continued Uganda's breaststroke excellence, claiming gold in the Girls 13-14 100m Breaststroke (1:17.84), while her teammate Jayson Ampaire Aronda won the Boys 13-14 equivalent in 1:19.12. These victories demonstrated Uganda's strength in technical stroke disciplines across all age groups.
The final team standings reflected Uganda's unprecedented dominance, with the team amassing 127 total medals including 46 gold, 40 silver, and 41 bronze. This represents the most commanding championship victory in Zone III history, built on exceptional depth across all age categories and disciplines. Kenya finished second with 82 medals (29 gold, 32 silver, 21 bronze), showcasing consistent excellence particularly in relay events and senior categories. Tanzania's 72 medals (21 gold, 23 silver, 28 bronze) reflected their success in producing individual champions despite competing with smaller team numbers.
Sudan's seven gold medals, led by the magnificent Ziyad Mohamed Saleem, represented outstanding value from a focused team approach. Burundi continued their steady improvement with eight medals, while Rwanda's three medals and Nigeria's single medal demonstrated growing participation across the region.
Championship officials praised the technical standards and competitive spirit displayed throughout the four days. Several performances approached African junior records, with multiple swimmers expressing interest in continental championships following their Zone III success. The quality of racing, particularly in the sprint disciplines and relay events, surpassed previous editions and demonstrated the rising standards of East African swimming.
The 10th Edition championships will be remembered for Crissa Dillip's historic twelve-gold medal performance, Jonathan Kaweesa's eleven-medal versatility, and Uganda's team dominance. Beyond the medals, the championships showcased the growth of competitive swimming across Zone III, with increased participation, improved technical standards, and the emergence of numerous talented junior swimmers who will shape the future of African aquatics.
As the championships concluded with the traditional closing ceremony, swimmers, coaches, and officials celebrated not just the victories but the spirit of competition and sportsmanship that defined four memorable days of racing. The performances in Nairobi have set new standards for Zone III swimming and provided a platform for the region's finest aquatic talent to shine on an international stage.
The championships have concluded, but the memories and records established will endure, inspiring the next generation of African swimmers to reach even greater heights.
Championship Final Standings: Uganda 127 medals | Kenya 82 medals | Tanzania 72 medals
FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP MEDAL TABLES
10th Edition Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships
Nairobi, Kenya - October 16-19, 2025
TABLE 1: FINAL INDIVIDUAL SWIMMERS STANDINGS
| Rank | Swimmer | Team | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dillip, Crissa | Team Tanzania - Tanzanites | 12 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| 2 | Suubi, Peyton Mary | Team Uganda-KY | 8 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | Ndirangu, Don G | Kenya Team A-ZZ | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | Kaweesa, Jonathan | Team Uganda-KY | 7 | 3 | 1 | 11 |
| 5 | Kisawuzi, Tara A | Team Uganda-KY | 6 | 4 | 0 | 10 |
| 6 | Nisha Pearl, Najjuma | Team Uganda-KY | 6 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 7 | Ziyad, Mohamed Saleem | Team Sudan | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 8 | Okech, Victor | Kenya Team A-ZZ | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 9 | Caffini, Duini G | Kenya Team A-ZZ | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | Olengo, Neo O | Kenya Team A-ZZ | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 | Magashi, Heydleen | Team Tanzania - Tanzanites | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 |
| 12 | Kaweesa, Kyle K | Team Uganda-KY | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| 13 | Ayesiga, Elijah A | Team Uganda-KY | 2 | 3 | 4 | 9 |
| 14 | Demello, Filbertha | Team Tanzania - Tanzanites | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 15 | Missokia, Max | Team Tanzania - Tanzanites | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| 16 | Adam, Ahmed Yacub | Team Sudan | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 17 | Matimu, Nathan | Kenya Team A-ZZ | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 18 | Nakasule, Rahmah Kalungi | Team Uganda-KY | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| 19 | Muganzi Dorothy, Tyrah | Team Uganda-KY | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 20 | Nakato, Jinan Nabuyungo | Team Uganda-KY | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 21 | Bwisho, Kristian Mugumya | Team Uganda-KY | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 22 | Mbanga, Zara Marie | Team Uganda-KY | 1 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| 23 | Ssali, Mackayla Kwagala | Team Uganda-KY | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 24 | Viljoen, Nicolene J | Team Tanzania - Tanzanites | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 25 | Rukundo, Daniel | Team Uganda-KY | 1 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
TABLE 2: FINAL COUNTRY/TEAM STANDINGS
| Rank | Country/Team | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team Uganda-KY | 46 | 40 | 41 | 127 |
| 2 | Kenya Team A-ZZ | 29 | 32 | 21 | 82 |
| 3 | Team Tanzania - Tanzanites | 21 | 23 | 28 | 72 |
| 4 | Team Sudan | 7 | 2 | 4 | 13 |
| 5 | Team Burundi | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 |
| 6 | Team Rwanda-ZZ | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | Team Nigeria | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
DAY 4 (FINAL DAY) MEDAL LEADERS
Individual Swimmers
| Rank | Swimmer | Team | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caffini, Duini G | Kenya Team A-ZZ | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | Dillip, Crissa | Team Tanzania - Tanzanites | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | Ndirangu, Don G | Kenya Team A-ZZ | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 4 | Kaweesa, Jonathan | Team Uganda-KY | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | Kaweesa, Kyle K | Team Uganda-KY | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Country Medals
| Rank | Country/Team | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team Uganda-KY | 7 | 8 | 3 | 18 |
| 2 | Kenya Team A-ZZ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 15 |
| 3 | Team Tanzania - Tanzanites | 2 | 2 | 5 | 9 |
CHAMPIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Historic Achievements
Individual Excellence:
- Crissa Dillip (Tanzania) - 12 gold medals, most dominant individual performance in Zone III history
- Jonathan Kaweesa (Uganda) - 11 total medals (7G, 3S, 1B), most medals won by any swimmer
- Peyton Mary Suubi (Uganda) - 8 gold medals across multiple disciplines
- Don Ndirangu (Kenya) - 8 gold medals in Boys 12 & Under category
- Tara Kisawuzi (Uganda) - 10 total medals (6G, 4S) across all four strokes
Team Dominance:
- Uganda - 127 total medals, largest medal haul in Zone III championship history
- Uganda won 36% of all gold medals available
- Uganda medaled in 127 of the possible podium positions
- Kenya's 82 medals represent strong all-around performance
- Tanzania's 21 gold medals showcase elite individual talent
Medal Distribution by Stroke
Gold Medal Leaders by Discipline:
- Backstroke: Ziyad Mohamed Saleem (Sudan) - 5 golds
- Breaststroke: Nisha Pearl Najjuma (Uganda) - 3 golds
- Butterfly: Multiple swimmers with 2 golds
- Freestyle: Crissa Dillip (Tanzania) - 4 golds
- Individual Medley: Tara Kisawuzi (Uganda) - 2 golds
Age Group Standouts
Girls 12 & Under: Nisha Pearl Najjuma (Uganda) - 6 golds Boys 12 & Under: Don Ndirangu (Kenya) - 8 golds Girls 13-14: Crissa Dillip (Tanzania) - 12 golds Boys 13-14: Jonathan Kaweesa (Uganda) - 7 golds Girls 15-16: Peyton Mary Suubi (Uganda) - 8 golds Boys 15-16: Victor Okech (Kenya) - 4 golds Girls 17 & Over: Tara Kisawuzi (Uganda) - 6 golds Boys 17 & Over: Ziyad Mohamed Saleem (Sudan) - 5 golds
Championship Records
- Most gold medals (individual): 12 - Crissa Dillip
- Most total medals (individual): 13 - Crissa Dillip
- Most medals by male swimmer: 11 - Jonathan Kaweesa
- Most gold medals (team): 46 - Team Uganda
- Most total medals (team): 127 - Team Uganda
- Largest winning margin (team): 45 medals
CHAMPIONSHIP STATISTICS
Total Events: 191 individual events + relay events Total Medals Awarded: 306 medal positions (counting relay medals for teams) Nations Competing: 7 (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Nigeria) Athletes Competing: 300+ swimmers across all age categories Days of Competition: 4 (October 16-19, 2025)
Medal Efficiency (Gold medals per athlete entered - estimated):
- Sudan: Highest efficiency with focused team approach
- Uganda: Highest volume with deepest squad
- Tanzania: Strong individual performances with smaller team
Complete event schedule across 4 days:
- Day 1: 200m Backstroke • 50m Breaststroke • 800m Freestyle • 100m Butterfly • Medley Relays
- Day 2: 50m Backstroke • 200m Breaststroke • 100m Backstroke • 200m Freestyle • Mixed Relays
- Day 3: 400m Freestyle • 50m Butterfly • 200m Individual Medley • 100m Freestyle • 400m Freestyle Relay
- Day 4: 100m Breaststroke • 50m Freestyle • 200m Freestyle Relay
Thank you to all athletes, coaches, officials, and supporters who made the 10th Edition Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships a tremendous success!
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