Kenyan deaf swimmer Ali Hamadi Juma is brimming with excitement as he prepares to make a dive at the Tokyo 2025 Summer Deaflympics that starts this Saturday.
Hamadi, 25, is among the six swimmers who will represent Kenya in the sport – marking the first time that the country will field a swimming team 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 big stage.
“We have been training very hard for the last couple of weeks. I now feel well energised and ready for the Deaflympics,” said Hamadi.
“Our instructor has been of great help to us. Not only has she improved our swimming skills but also instilled confidence in us. We are now not timid to compete in Tokyo.
“I want to encourage all my team mates that we give our best in the competition because we must represent our country in a positive way in the Games by winning medals,” he added.
Hamadi will compete in four categories – 50m backstroke,100m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke, and 50m freestyle.
The Deaflympics marked his only second international assignment having competed at the 2023 World Deaf Swimming Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Although the fourth born in a family of nine siblings did post impressive results in Argentina, he says he picked valuable lessons that will come in handy in Tokyo.
“Yes, I felt bad of my lackluster performance in Argentina 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 Deaflympics,” the alumnus of Kwale School for the Deaf underlined.
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.
