Deaflympics: Swimming Ace Hamadi Fired Up For Tokyo Challenge

_{Hamadi learnt how to swim at the age of 10 years along the beaches of the Indian Ocean.}

NAIROBI, Kenya- Even though he finished last in his categories at the Word Championship in Argentina two years ago, Ali Hamadi Juma never gave up in swimming.

He came back home, worked on himself and now he is heading for the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics a fired-up man, ready to cause ripples at the showdown that kicks off this Saturday.

He is already brimming with excitement as he prepares to make a dive in the Tokyo waters where he is hopeful to mine a medal.

“It’s all done and dusted, I’m ready to give my best. I worked on all the mistakes made in Argentina and now my focus is to make a podium finish,” Hamadi told Standard Sports.

“Yes, I did not post impressive results in Argentina, but I picked valuable lessons that will come in handy in Tokyo.

“I felt bad about that lackluster performance, but I never gave up. The results motivated me to work harder and now, as I head to the Deaflympics, I carry with me the lessons and experience gained from the World Championship.

“I’m confident of winning medals in the Deaflympics,” the alumnus of Kwale School for the Deaf told Standard Sports.

The 25-year-old, now a swimming sensation, is among the batch of six athletes who will be part of history as Kenya marks a debut in swimming at the Deaflympics.

Having undergone an intensive three-week residential training at the Kasarani Aquatic Stadium in Nairobi under the watchful eye of veteran swimming coach Irene Kerubo, the Kwale-based swimmer says he feels fully prepared, and unfazed by the waiting global stage.

“We have been training very hard for the last couple of weeks. I now feel well energised and ready for the Deaflympics,” he said.

“Our instructor has been of great help. Not only has she improved our skills but also instilled confidence in us. We are now not timid to compete in Tokyo the way it happened in Argentina.

“I want to encourage all my teammates that we give our best in this. Let’s represent our country in a positive way- by winning medals,” the fourth born in a family of nine siblings said.

In Tokyo, Hamadi will forage for gold in four categories namely the 50m backstroke,100m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke, and 50m freestyle.

Coach Kerubo heaped praise on him saying: “Hamadi has improved a lot. He has worked tirelessly in all the categories so we expect good performance from him at the Deaflympics.”

Hamadi learnt how to swim at the age of 10 years along the beaches of the Indian Ocean. He said his father Hamadi Rehema has encouraged him to ensure he wins a medal in Tokyo as it will not only bring glory to him and the nation but also secure his future.

“He has inspired me to represent the country proudly, in a positive way, he prays that I make it to the podium. My father has also reminded me that earning a medal comes with government’s cash rewards, which would go a long way in improving my livelihood,” said Hamadi.

In September, President Ruto announced that gold medalists at major global championships will now receive Sh 3 million, up from Sh 750,000. Silver medallists will pocket Sh 2 million, an increase from Sh500,000, while bronze medallists will receive Sh1 million, up from Sh350,000.

Swimming categories that Ali Hamadi Juma is set to compete in Tokyo

50m backstroke

100m breaststroke

50m breaststroke

50m freestyle.