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Athieno breaks Snow Globe Classic 100 Y record set by Davey Zoe last year
Iowa, USA | THE INDEPENDENT | US-based swimming prodigy Athieno Grace Wandera has grabbed the first of two medals she is gunning for – and she did it in style on Saturday.
Athieno set a new personal best of 55:56 in the 100 yard freestyle final for 12-year-olds, lowering by close to a whole second her previous best of 56:44 seconds as she stormed to gold in the Snow Globe Classic final in Iowa in a new record time. She broke the Snow Globe Classic 100 Y record set by Davey Zoe last year
She will compete in the 50 yard freestyle final later today.
DesMoines Iowa is this weekend hosting the annual Snow Globe Classic that has attracted over 600 competitors from five different states. The event is also a preparation meet ahead of the 2020 Midwest All American Stars competition.
Athieno, 12, recently bettered her 50 butterfly time by 0.07 seconds, after clocking 29.88 against a previous best of 29.95 seconds. Athieno is ranked number one in both 100 and 50 yards freestyle category for her state in her age category.
Athieno already looks a candidate to be added to Uganda’s list of candidates to feature in international events in the coming years, if her performance in the US state of Iowa is anything to go by.
The DSMY Marlins Travel Team star has a time of 25:79 seconds in the 50 yards freestyle competition, a result which currently makes her the 2nd best in the state of Iowa in her age category, and 114th in the USA – after only three years in the sport.
Athieno Grace Wandera was born in Iowa, Waukee U.S.A on March 31, 2007 to a sporting family.
Athieno’s parents were born and raised in Uganda and they were very competitive athletes throughout their youth.
Athieno’s dad is Dr. Apollo Wandera from Tororo who was a track and field star, and mum is Justine Grace Etima Wandera from Arua who was a star netballer. Justine Grace Etima is currently a doctoral candidate at Walden University USA and daughter of former Commissioner General of Uganda Prisons Service (UPS) Joseph Etima (RIP).
