Kenyan swimmer Maria Brunlehner upbeat ahead of the Olympic Games
Kenyan swimmer Maria Brunlehner is itching to leave a mark at the Paris Olympic Games scheduled 26th July-August 11th.
Brunlehner who won double gold at the Africa Youth Games in 2018 sealed her Olympic slot after she won the 50m freestyle event at this year’s Doha World Swimming Championship.
At the event she set a new national record over the distance and earned 739 points which saw her qualify for the Paris Games.
‘’I have been looking towards the Olympics since we did compete at the Doha championship. It’s the peak of the sport to be at the Olympics. It’s a chance where I get to show what I have been training for’ Maria intimated in Miramas where team Kenya is camping ahead of the games.
The 24 year old is keen on breaking the record however acknowledging the tough task that lies ahead. Maria clocked 26.12secs at the Doha Championship to erase her own record that stood at 26.14 seconds
‘’I am hopeful of breaking the national record I just want to do my best and give it all’’,Brunlehner remarked.
Maria, a student at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona is one of the two swimmers who will fly Kenya’s flag at the Games. UK Based Ridhwan Mohammed also got the nod for the Olympics and is set to participate in the men’s 400m men’s freestyle.
Ridhwan was picked for the games after his startling performance in Zagreb during the Golden Bear meet where he recorded a personal best of 4:04.39 in the 400m freestyle. The result soared his total points to 730.
The two swimmers got the chance at the Olympic Games after Kenya received a universality invitation from the international swimming federation FINA to send two top-ranked swimmers, male and female, based on the FINA Points System of June 28, 2021
During the 2020 Olympic Games Kenya was represented by two swimmers Daniel Rosafio and Emily Muteti who competed in 100m freestyle and 50m freestyle respectively.
The women’s 50m Freestyle event is set to take place on August 3rd with the men’s 400m freestyle taking place on 27th July.
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