At just nine years old, Athena Akwacha Diamantidis, a student at Braeburn Garden Estate School (BGE), is making waves in the swimming world. Recently, she secured first place at the East African Inter Braeburn Gala, where she competed in the 25m Freestyle for Girls 9 & Under. Athena’s remarkable time of 15.90 seconds broke the long-standing record of 16.67 seconds, previously held by Japan’s Mia Murakami. This victory returned the title to Kenya and cemented Athena’s status as a rising star in the sport.
Athena’s success is no accident. Behind her achievements is a disciplined training schedule that she follows diligently. Her day starts early, at 6:30 AM, when she balances schoolwork and breakfast before heading to the pool. After school, she dedicates another two hours, from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, to perfecting her technique. This relentless focus on training has paid off, as evidenced by her record-breaking performance.
Athena, who celebrated her ninth birthday on July 31, 2024, already has her eyes set on even greater achievements. By the time she turns 10 next year, she aims to reduce her 25m freestyle time to 14.90 seconds. This goal aligns with her desire to compete at the IAPS Championships, which will take place in Kenya in March 2025. Her determination to continually improve, even after breaking a record, highlights her deep passion for swimming.
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Read:https://newsday.co.ke/kenyan-swimmer/
Her victory at the East African Gala is just one of many successes in Athena’s young swimming career. Earlier this year, in March 2024, she won the 25m Freestyle at the IAPS Championships with a time of 17.78 seconds. This win gave her the confidence to push even harder, leading to her record-breaking performance later in the year. Athena’s relentless drive to improve shows her incredible potential.
But Athena’s talents don’t end with freestyle. She also claimed gold in the 25m Backstroke during the IAPS Championships. Additionally, she helped her relay team from BGE secure three silver medals and one bronze. Athena’s versatility in the pool, coupled with her individual and team accomplishments, signals her as a well-rounded athlete destined for greatness.
Athena’s achievements have inspired young swimmers across East Africa. Many see her as a role model, not only because of her success in the pool but also because she demonstrates that it’s possible to balance both academics and sports. With the unwavering support of her coaches, family, and school, Athena continues to train with focus and determination, setting her sights on even bigger accomplishments.
Looking to the future, Athena’s journey is just beginning. Her record-breaking performance at the East African Inter Braeburn Gala is only the start of what promises to be a long and successful swimming career. As she prepares for the IAPS Championships in 2025, her name is one that the swimming world will undoubtedly hear again.
Athena Akwacha Diamantidis proves that hard work, dedication, and clear goals can lead to remarkable achievements. As she continues to break records and push the limits of her abilities, she is setting a new standard for young athletes, inspiring a new generation of swimmers to follow in her footsteps.
