Okumu, Gichovi strike five gold as USIU shine at KUSF play-offs

Jesse Okumu and Hadassah Gichovi delivered masterclasses in the pool, scooping five gold medals each as the Kenya Universities Sports Federation (KUSF) play-offs concluded at Kabarak University in Nakuru County.

The three-day championships, which ran from Thursday to Saturday, attracted top universities battling for qualification slots to the upcoming East Africa and Africa championships set for next month in Kenya and South Africa.

Representing United States International University Africa, Okumu dominated across disciplines, winning gold in the 1,500m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 200m freestyle.

In the 1,500m — the longest race of the championships — Okumu clocked 22:28.35 to finish ahead of Strathmore University’s Emmanuel Otieno (23:54.22) and Mount Kenya University’s Alfred Kyalo (25:01.38).

He then claimed the 50m backstroke in 31.88 seconds, beating teammate Johari Masinde (32.50) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology’s Ferdinand Mutie (37.09).

Okumu extended his dominance in the 100m backstroke, timing 1:17.22 to finish ahead of Maseno University’s Allan Otieno (1:22.50) and USIU’s Daryl Anjchi (1:24.00).

In the 50m breaststroke, he posted 35.63 seconds to narrowly edge Maseno’s Otieno (35.87) and MKU’s Hussein Wario (35.97), before sealing his golden streak in the 200m freestyle in 2:27.03.

Strathmore’s Otieno (2:29.78) and USIU’s Sean Odera (2:45.72) completed the podium.

Gichovi matched Okumu’s feat, bagging five gold medals in the 200m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke and 100m breaststroke to underline USIU’s dominance in the swimming competition.

3×3 basketball thrillers.

In 3×3 basketball, reigning East Africa women’s champions USIU successfully defended their national crown, while Mount Kenya University clinched the men’s title.

USIU edged Strathmore 16-15 in a tense final to book their ticket to the regional championships set for next month at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

Team captain Alicia Mito said their focus has now shifted to defending the regional title.

“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,” she said.
USIU had beaten University of Nairobi 15-11 in the semifinals, while Strathmore eliminated Kisii University 21-14.

In the men’s final, Ray Onyango sank the decisive basket to hand Mount Kenya University a 21-20 victory over Daystar University after the game had been tied at 20-20. MKU had earlier edged Murang’a University of Technology 17-16, while Daystar beat University of Embu 20-15 in the semifinals.

Rugby sevens drama.

In rugby sevens, University of Kabianga and Kabarak University emerged champions in the women’s and men’s categories respectively.

Kabianga women clinched their maiden title after edging Murang’a University of Technology 5-0 in a dramatic final. With the hooter gone and the match seemingly headed for sudden death, Abigail Chepkoech scored an unconverted try to hand the Steve Okello-coached side victory.

“It was not easy for us to be here. This is our first title and we must celebrate it fully,” said Okello, who now shifts focus to the regional and Africa championships.

In the semifinals, Kabianga knocked out defending champions Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology 10-5, while MUT beat Meru University of Science and Technology 19-12.

Hosts Kabarak University delighted home fans after edging Maseno University 7-5 in the men’s final. Maseno had taken a 7-0 lead through Adrian Kotut’s conversion of Emmanuel Waswa’s try, but an unconverted effort by Felix Wamukoya sealed the comeback victory for the hosts.