By KPC Sports Correspondent
Jesse Okumu and Hadassah Gichovi stole the spotlight after winning five gold medals each at the Kenya Universities Sports Federation play-offs in Nakuru.
The three-day championships, held from Thursday to Saturday at Kabarak University, brought together top universities competing in indoor and outdoor events.
The teams battled for qualification to the upcoming East Africa and Africa championships scheduled for next month in Kenya and South Africa under the Kenya Universities Sports Federation play-offs banner.
Representing United States International University–Africa (USIU), Okumu delivered a dominant performance, clinching gold in the 1,500m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 200m freestyle.
In the grueling 1,500m freestyle—the longest swimming event of the championships—Okumu clocked 22:28.35 to beat Strathmore University’s Emmanuel Otieno (23:54.22) and Mount Kenya University’s Alfred Kyalo (25:01.38).
He followed that with victory in the 50m backstroke, touching the wall in 31.88 seconds ahead of teammate Johari Masinde (32.50) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology’s Ferdinand Mutie (37.09).
Okumu maintained his dominance in the 100m backstroke, posting 1:17.22 to finish well clear of Maseno University’s Allan Otieno (1:22.50) and USIU’s Daryl Anjchi (1:24.00).
In the 50m breaststroke, he clocked 35.63 seconds, edging Maseno’s Otieno (35.87) and MKU’s Hussein Wario (35.97).
He capped his golden run by winning the 200m freestyle in 2:27.03, ahead of Strathmore’s Otieno (2:29.78) and USIU’s Sean Odera (2:45.72).
Gichovi, also of USIU, matched Okumu’s feat with five gold medals of her own, triumphing in the 200m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke and 100m breaststroke to underline the institution’s swimming dominance.
Away from the pool, USIU and Mount Kenya University emerged champions in the women’s and men’s 3×3 basketball categories respectively.
Reigning East Africa women’s champions USIU edged Strathmore University 16-15 to book their slot as they prepare to defend the regional title next month at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Team captain Alicia Mito said their campaign was firmly on track.
“We came here with the purpose of winning this title and it has come. With the win, a new journey has begun on defending the East Africa title,” said Mito.
She added that the victory was particularly significant after missing out on last year’s national crown.
“Now that Kenya is hosting the regional extravaganza, we need to fly the Kenyan flag high in Kakamega,” she said.
In the semifinals, USIU eliminated the University of Nairobi 15-11, while Strathmore beat Kisii University 21-14.
In the men’s final, Ray Onyango scored the decisive basket to hand Mount Kenya University a narrow 21-20 win over Daystar University after the match had been tied at 20-20.
In rugby sevens, University of Kabianga and hosts Kabarak University emerged champions after dramatic finals.
Kabianga women claimed their maiden title with a tense 5-0 victory over favourites Murang’a University of Technology, courtesy of a late try by Abigail Chepkoech.
Head coach Steve Okello admitted the journey was tough, saying, “This is our first title and we must celebrate it fully.”
In the men’s final, Kabarak University thrilled home fans by edging former champions Maseno University 7-5 to cap a highly competitive championship that showcased the growing depth of university sport in the country.