Rwandan swimmers begin quest in Barcelona

Rwanda’s duo of Alphonsine Agahozo and Patrick Rukundo will today start their hunt for silverware in the 15th edition of the Federation of International Swimming Associations (FINA) sanctioned world championships which is taking place in Barcelona, Spain.Rukundo will be the first Rwandan swimmer to get into the pool when he competes against eight swimmers in heat three of the preliminary round of the 50m men’s freestyle on Friday (today).The debutant will line up against Wallace Shawn of North Korea, Miraj Prajapti of Nepal, Alzoda Umarkhon of Turkey, Folarin Ogunsola from the Gambia, Smith J’Air from the Netherlands, Harris Giordan from Marshal Islands, Phommasen Soulasen from Sweden, Habte Robel Kiros of Ethiopia and Yemen’s Al-Nehmi Yosef.To be assured of a place in the next round, Rukundo must win his heat with a very good time. His current personal best is 28.03.His compatriot Agahozo will go into action on Saturday in a heat stage contest which will also include; Burundian Angelika Sita, Fergeson Colleen from Mauritania, Hem Vitiny of Cameroon, Aminath Shajan from Maldives, Moreyna Misech from the Republic of Palau, De Jesus Angel from Namibia, Wall Rachel of the Netherlands, Shah Sofia from Nepal and Paul Danisha from the Federal State of Micronesia.With a personal best of 31.02, Agahozo, who has gained experience from several championships including last year’s Olympic Games in London and a year-long training camp in France, will be expected to qualify to the next round.The Rwandan swimmers will be aiming to improve their personal best times at the event which has attracted 1,144 swimmers from 181 countries competing in 40 events.

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Rwandan swimmers begin quest in Barcelona