Bittersweet afternoon for Kudwoli as Kenyan swimmer falls short of Commonwealth Games semis

Bittersweet afternoon for Kudwoli as Kenyan swimmer falls short of Commonwealth Games semis
Haniel Kudwoli at the Africa Aquatics Championships. PHOTO/TEAM KENYA

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 24, 2026 – Kenya’s Haniel Kudwoli came agonisingly short of reaching the semi-finals of the men’s 100m breaststroke after winning his heat at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday afternoon.

The African Aquatics bronze medalist clocked 1:04.30 to take top spot in Heat 3, ahead of Mauritius’ Hans Li Ying Pin who came second in 1:04.37.

Barbados’ Joshua Ross came a distant third in 1:05.09.

For all his efforts, Kudwoli’s journey in the men’s 100m breaststroke comes to end considering he finished as the 22nd fastest — way far from the qualifying mark and the reserve.

However, it is not all gloom for the 20-year-old who will get the chance to make amends in the men’s 50m freestyle as well as the 50m breaststroke.

He will be in action in Heat 5 of the 50m freestyle on Saturday morning before taking to the water again for Heat 5 of the men’s 50m breaststroke.