Kenya's top swimmer Bianchi eyes 2028 Olympics

Swimmer Maria Bianchi in a training session in Mombasa. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

The quest for excellence in competitive swimming pushes most of the athletes to unravel the secrets behind the optimal swimmers’ bodies.

Globally, swimmers have recognised the unique blend of physical and mental strength that contributes to their success.

In the past two decades, Kenyan swimmers have been enjoying several swimming and academic scholarships offered by some of the top universities abroad.

This has enabled the swimmers to gain the needed exposure and competitively participate in Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships among other international events.

As a result, Kenya’s top female swimmer Maria Bianchi has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the role of long-term athlete development becomes a focal point, empashising that the journey towards crafting a champion’s physique starts early and is nurtured persistently.

To hit her current ‘boiling point’, Maria has been navigating through the essential physical attributes like height, arm span and flexibility, which are pivotal for a champion.

“It has been an incredible journey of growth, both as a swimmer and as a person, I have learned a lot about resilience, teamwork, and pushing beyond my comfort zone,” she said.

“Looking back, I am proud with this far I’ve come, and it motivates me to keep striving for excellence.”

At the age of 18, Maria has developed to become the next generation of Kenya’s elite swimmers, which has caught the eyes of international scouts.

The swimmer intends to move to Italy to join pursue a course in International Relations and Political Science.

The youthful swimmer has been a top athlete in open water races, where she has represented Kenya in several international events.

Under coach Mohammed Yonaz of Mombasa’s Blue Ocean Swimming Club, Maria won nine gold medals in different races during the 2024 Africa Zone Three championships, three gold medals at the ninth Africa aquatics in Bujumbura, Burundi and seven gold and Victrix trophy at the 2024 national swimming championships.

This year, the multiple national record holder also represented Kenya at the 52nd Bahamian championships improving her personal best times. With the many accords and glory to her biography, Maria’s star has started shinning brighter following her potential move to Italy as she plans to realise her dream of swimming at the 2028 Olympic Games.

Swimmer Maria Bianchi displays some of her medals. [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Born on March 30, 2006 in Mombasa, Maria has been swimming since she was two, but started competing at junior galas at the age of six years.

“Since I started featuring in competitions, I have represented Kenya in 11 countries in different races with my most recent favourite event being the 2024 Bahamas where I improved my personal best times,” said the soft-spoken swimmer in an interview.

“My inspiration came from my father who introduced me to this sport. His encouragement and passion sparked my own, and from my first lesson, I knew swimming was a special sport for me,” said Maria, who won the most outstanding girl athlete at the 2019 Safaricom Sports Personality of the year Awards (SOYA).

Maria’s speciality is freestyle and butterfly as it gives her a sense of speed and freedom.

“I love pushing myself harder during sprints, as it is exhilarating to test my limits and see the progress over time. I believe in dedication, discipline and compassionate,” adds Maria, whose sports idol is American swimmer Katie Ledecky, who has won nine Olympic gold medals and 21 world championship goal medals, the most in history for a female swimmer.