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29 March 2024

Kenyan swimmer aims to make history in Dubai

Jason Dunford will be competing in the 50m butterfly event. (FILE)

Published
By Staff
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jason Dunford is hoping history can repeat itself when he lines up in next month’s FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) in Dubai.
 
The 23 year-old has already made history once this year by securing Kenya’s first swimming medal at a Commonwealth Games, finishing at the head of a world-class field including Australia’s Geoff Huegill and Roland Schoeman of South Africa in the 50m butterfly in New Delhi.
 
Now Dunford is aiming at another first for his country, with a medal in the world championships taking place at the new, state-of-the-art Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex from December 15 to 19.
 
“I look forward to gunning for Kenya's first ever medal at a swimming World Championships,” he said.
 
“The competition will be very stiff but I am beginning to show my ability to compete with the best in the world, so I look forward to putting Kenyan swimming on show once again as any opportunity in which I get to represent my country is one I cherish.”
 
Dunford has been preparing for the Championships at a training camp in Italy alongside his brother David, who will also be swimming in Dubai.
 
Boosted by the confidence he gained from his success in India, he said he was in a positive frame of mind.
 
“I am definitely looking forward to the Championships because I am in good shape and (it comes) on the back of my victory in the 50m butterfly at the Commonwealth Games.
 
“My preparations have been going very well. I have been putting in some good work in the pool and the gym and I have also been doing some surfing for extra cross-training.
 
“I have been racing in Europe and that has given me a good gauge as to where I am with regards to my preparation.”
 
Dr Khalid Al Zahed, Vice Championships Director for the 10th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) said: “We are delighted that Jason is coming to race in Dubai as his presence, following on from his success at the Commonwealth Games, adds yet more star power to the roster of top performers on show for the public to see.
 
“The fact Jason and his brother David come from Kenya, a country that, unlike the United States of America, Australia, China or the United Kingdom, has not had a history of producing top-class swimmers in the past, is a perfect illustration that December’s World Championships is a truly global event.
 
“We look forward to welcoming athletes, officials and spectators from all over the world to Dubai in December for five days of top-class racing at a superb new, state-of-the-art venue.”
 
Tickets for the 10th FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) are on sale and can be purchased at www.boxofficeme.com  or via the official Championships website.