Heer joins Uganda’s elite Zone IV class

• Heer Usadadiya – Boys 15-16
• 800m free – 9:08.70 (silver)
• 400m free – 4:29.82
• 200m free – 2:05.31
• 200m back – 2:14.13 (gold, meet record)
• 100m back – 1:03.68
• 200m fly – 2:22.57 (bronze)

Heer Usadadiya became the fifth Ugandan and only the second male swimmer from the country to win a gold medal at the Africa Aquatics Zone IV Swimming Championships during their 20th edition in Windhoek, Namibia held between December 4 and 8.

Heer was one of Uganda’s top performers at the Zone III Championships held a week earlier in Burundi. His form continued in Windhoek where he lowered the meet’s 15-16 boys’ age group record in the 200m backstroke to 2:14.13 (two minutes, 14 seconds and 13 microseconds) from the 2:15.28 that Namibian Ronan Wantenaar set in 2017.

In the 800m freestyle, he finished second in a national record time of 9:08.70 behind South Africa’s Claudio Domiter (9:06.68).

He also bagged 200m butterfly bronze with a time of 2:22.57 finishing behind South Africa’s Guy Wessels (2:14.44) and Namibia’s Lorenzo Esterhuizen (2:16.75).

He also competed in the; 100m backstroke (1:03.68) in which he finished fifth, 200m freestyle (2:05.31), and the 400m freestyle (4:29.82) in which he marginally missed a podium finish as he completed his 2024 season.

Heer drowns records in Burundi

A change of age group has not affected Heer Usadadiya’s performance against his peers that much this year.

The 15 year old was among those that led Uganda’s national team’s onslaught against the rest of the region at the November 22-24 Africa Aquatics Zone III Swimming Championships in Bujumbura, Burundi.

With five age group and two open category national records, Heer did not only top his age group and also finish as Uganda’s top medal collector but also helped Uganda defend the Zone III title with 3,934 points from 134 events, 275.5 points more than Tanzania.

He had 15-16 boys’ records in the 100m backstroke (1:01.44), 200m back (2:10.05), 200m butterfly (2:21.09), 200m freestyle (2:00.18), and 200m individual medley (2:15.97). He also had national records in the 400m (4:14.90) and 800m (8:46.18).

The performance sets him up for a good show at the 20th Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championships in Windhoek, Namibia at the start of December.

Usadadiya leads Aqua Akii with aplomb

Heer Usadadiya led his new club Aqua Akii to a top 10 finish in the June 27-30 Uganda Swimming Federation (USF) National Championships held at Kampala Parents School, Naguru.

He started with an early stunner as he dominated the open category’s 800m freestyle to upset former national record holder John Kafumbe and also become the second Ugandan swimmer to go under nine minutes in the event.

Usadadiya clocked 8:58.45 to set a new national record leaving Seals’ Kafumbe (9:03.59) and Silverfin Academy’s Isaiah Kuc (9:40.94) settling for second and third respectively.

Despite just turning 15, Heer showed no nerves as he topped the 15-16 age group with 90 points.

In his age group, Heer topped the 100m backstroke with a 1:03.00 personal best (PB), 200m backstroke with a 2:13.77 PB, 200m butterfly with a 2:22.35 PB, 200m freestyle with a 2:01.57 PB, 200m individual medley with a 2:20.45 PB

He also finished third in the 100m freestyle also with a 56.55 PB, 4th in the 100m fly with a 1:05.30 PB, 5th in the 50m backstroke with a 30.12, and 12th in the 50m butterfly with a 30.41 PB.

“These recent national championships may give a glimpse of my past few months but will not come close to fully expressing the physical and emotional pain I put myself through to be where I am now.

I managed to barely snag the 800m overall National Record beating the previous one by .16 of a second and making a 8:58.45. This makes me the second and YOUNGEST Ugandan to break the 9 minute barrier in the event. I managed to get a handful of other medals and PBs but the 800m is what I am proudest of.

Putting myself aside, I was very proud to represent Aqua Akii and lead the swimmers of the team into this event with a positive and optimistic mindset,” Heer posted on his Instagram after the event.

Heer makes Australia outing count

Heer Usadadiya bagged three golds and one silver medal at the Iona Long Course Preparation Meet on February 4 in Australia.

The meet is sanctioned by Brisbane Swimming Association and Swimming Queensland and times done there are recognized as qualifying times for National Championships of the two cities.

The 14 year old came first in the 50m backstroke despite adding 0.12 microseconds to his 31.59 personal best to stop the clock at 31.71.

He added a 2:20.00 personal best (PB) in the 200m backstroke and a 1:06.36 one in the 100m backstroke to complete his gold collection.

He finished the 200m individual medley in two minutes, 27 seconds and 42 microseconds (2:27.42) to finish second and bag silver at the prestigious event.

Heer makes Africa Juniors finals

Africa Juniors Finals – Heer

800m free: 9:42.33 (prelims), 9:31.68 (finals)
200m back: 2:21.95 (prelims), 2:21.38 (finals)

Heer Usadadiya made it to two finals of the prestigious Africa Junior Swimming Championships held in Mauritius from December 6 to 10.

Despite making his continental debut, Heer was the busiest of the travelling team of six Ugandan swimmers. He had one long distance event in the pool, four middle distance ones and a few sprints before he shifted focus to the open water competition.

In the 800m freestyle, Heer clocked free: 9:42.33 (nine minutes, 42 seconds and 33 seconds) to make the finals, where he made further cuts in time to 9:31.68.

The 14 year old showed he was not being affected by nerves when he also reduced his 200m backstroke time from 2:21.95 in the prelims to 2:21.38 in the finals.

After competing in the pool, Usadadiya led the performance in the 5km open water swimming event. He finished sixth in the 14-15 year’s age group with a time of 1:01:41.00 (one hour, one minute and 41 seconds).

Heer earns 13 podiums at AA Zone III Championships

AA Zone III Aquatics Summary

100m back – 1:04.18 (gold)

100m free relay – 1:47.09 (gold) with Peterson Inhensiko, Isaiah Kuc and Daniel Rukundo

200m free – 2:06.78 (gold)

200m medley relay – 1:58.51 (gold) with Daniel Rukundo, Isaiah Kuc and Peterson Inhensiko

200m back – 2:19.02 (gold)

400m free – 4:39.09 (gold)

400m free relay – 4:00.04 (gold) with Isaiah Kuc, Peterson Inhensiko and Daniel Rukundo

800m free – 9:29.46 (gold)

200m IM – 2:23.77 (silver)

200m fly – 2:28.39 (silver)

50m back – 31.65 (silver)

100m free – 59.79 (bronze)

100m fly – 1:06.54 (bronze)

200m mixed medley relay – DQ with Daniel Rukundo, Tara Kisawuzi and Zara Mbanga

Fourteen events, eight gold medals and three silvers!

That is how Heer Usadadiya bounced back from about a month of doing examinations to compete at the Africa Aquatics Zone III Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.

Heer extended his middle distance prowess from the National Championships to the regional event as he won gold in 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle.

He then got more gold in 200m backstroke and silver in 200m butterfly and individual medley.

He still retained the speed to sprint with gold in the 100m backstroke and silver in the 50m backstroke. He also combined with Peterson Inhensiko, Isaiah Kuc and Daniel Rukundo to sprint to gold in the 200m free and medley plus the 400m free relays.

Unfortunately, he, Rukundo and the girls; Tara Kisawuzi and Zara Mbanga were disqualified in the mixed 200m medley relay.

For the individual 100m free and fly, Heer collected bronze too to ensure he was on the podium in 13 of his 14 events.

The performance will boost his confidence as he prepares to compete at the December 6-10 Africa Aquatics Junior Championships in Mauritius.

Heer scoops Indian Association award

Heer Usadadiya beat a host of competitors from various sports to be crowned the Indian Association Uganda sports achiever of the year award.

The Uganda national team and Gators Swim Club athlete has had a splendid year so far, setting national records in his 13-14 years age group at the Swimming Federation (USF) National Championships and League events.

The recognition came to him during the India Day celebrations at Lugogo Cricket Oval that attracted over 10,000 people. They were held to mark the Indian Association’s 101 years of existence and India’s 76th Independence anniversary.

In League One in February, Heer topped the 13-14 years’ boys age group in the 800m and 200m freestyle events held at International School of Uganda (ISU) Lubowa from February 25 to 26, 2023.

The 14 year old student, who later expects to pursue a career in exercise and sports science, clocked nine minutes, 42 seconds and 61 microseconds (9:42.61) in 800m free to record the best time by any male swimmer across all age groups.

He then won the 400m free (4:43.24) event in his age group during League Two held two months later at Olympia Hostel.

And then topped up the performance at the USF Nationals by winning the 800m freestyle (9:38.16), 400m free (4:41.59), 200m free (2:12.65), 100m backstroke (1:06.48) and 200m back (2:21.71) to top his very competitive age group.

Out of the pool, Heer also combined with his parents at the start of April to start up the Angel Aquatics Foundation – one that offers a platform for children with special needs and those living with physical disability an opportunity to come out of their shells through swimming.

USF Nationals: Top of the age group

Event: USF National Championships

• 800m free – 9:38.16 from 9:42.00
• 100m back – 1:06.48 from 1:08.00
• 100m fly – 1:08.11; third behind Ethani Ssengooba (1:07.82) and Isaiah Kuc (1:07.84)
• 200m free – 2:12.65 from 2:13.00
• 50m fly – 31.55 from 32.00; ninth
• 400m free – 4:41.59 from 4:42.00
• 50m back – 32.08; second behind Peterson Inhensiko (30.92)
• 100m free – 58.92; fourth behind Kuc (58.34), Inhensiko (58.45), Arthur Mwase (58.84)
• 200m fly – 2:30.41 from 2:40.00; second behind Kuc (2:30.34)
• 200m back – 2:21.71 from 2:25.00
• 50m free – 27.59 from 28.00; ninth
• At the June 30 – July 2 Uganda Swimming Federation (USF) National Championships, Heer re-established his dominance in distance swimming.

He won the 800m freestyle (9:38.16), 400m free (4:41.59), 200m free (2:12.65), 100m backstroke (1:06.48) and 200m back (2:21.71) to top the very competitive 13-14 years boys’ age group.

In the 100m fly, he finished third (1:08.11) behind Ethani Ssengooba (1:07.82) and Isaiah Kuc (1:07.84) then second behind Peterson Inhensiko (30.92) in the 50m back (32.08).

He was off the podium in the; 50m free (27.59) and 50m fly (31.55), where he finished ninth in both plus the 100m free (58.92) where he was fourth behind Kuc (58.34), Inhensiko (58.45), Arthur Mwase (58.84).

USF League II 2023: Freestyle prowess

Event: League II

Date: April 29-30

• 400m free – 4:43.24 from 4:45.00
• 50m fly – 33.32
• 100m back – 1:08.55 from 1:09.00. Behind Akram Lubega (1:08.01) and Malcolm Nahamya (1:07.72)
• 400m IM – 5:28.93 from 5:33.00. Behind Isaiah Kuc (5:28.86)

Heer was yards ahead of the grid in the 400m freestyle during the April 29-30, 2023 Uganda Swimming Federation (USF) League II held at Olympia Hostel, Makerere.

Building on his form two months earlier in League I, where he topped the 800m and 200m free events, Heer finished the 400m free in four minutes, 43 seconds and 24 microseconds (4:43.24). His colleagues were at least four seconds off pace.

In the 50m butterfly, Heer finished ninth but powered himself back to the podium in the 100m backstroke and 400m individual medley (IM).

In the 100m backstroke, he clocked 1:08.55 microseconds 0ff his 1:09.00 entry time finishing behind Akram Lubega (1:08.01) and Malcolm Nahamya (1:07.72).

In the 400m IM, Heer finished with 5:28.93 – just seven microseconds behind Silverfin Academy’s Isaiah Kuc.

First USF League: A sign of things to come​

Event: USF League 1

Date: Feb 25-26, 2023

• 800m freestyle – 9:42.61 from 10:06.00; best among all male swimmers
• 50m backstroke – 32.16 from 32.35; behind Peterson Inhensiko (30.79), Malcolm Nahamya (30.63) and Akram Lubega (30.61)
• 200m butterfly – 2:39.93 from 2:48.23 behind Akram (2:25.88), Isaiah Kuc (2:37.49)
• 100m individual medley – 1:12.53
• 200m freestyle – 2:13.05 from 2:18.30

Heer topped the 13-14 years’ boys age group in the 800m and 200m freestyle events held at International School of Uganda (ISU) Lubowa from February 25 to 26, 2023.

The 13 year old Gators Swim Club swimmer clocked nine minutes, 42 seconds and 61 microseconds (9:42.61) 800m to lower his entry time from 10:06.00.

That was also the best time recorded by any male swimmer, from all age groups, during the race on February 25.

Heer doubled his money with a 2:13.05 in the 200m free taking his time down from 2:18.30.

He also finished third in the 200m butterfly with 2.39.93 behind his friends Akram Lubega (2:25.88) from Aquatic Academy and Isaiah Kuc (2:37.49) of Silverfin Academy.

In the 50m backstroke, Heer finished fourth behind teammate Peterson Inhensiko (30.79), Dolphins’ Malcolm Nahamya (30.63) and Akram (30.61) and also finished ninth in the 100m individual medley (1:12.53).

Uganda prepares for CANA Zone III Championships

Uganda will host the sixth edition of the CANA Zone III Championships from Thursday to Saturday at the Kampala International School of Uganda (KISU) in Bukoto.

The federation will also host the zone’s open water competition at Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (UWEC) in Entebbe on Sunday morning and then later Water Polo at KISU.

“We want to thank the parents that held on to keep these swimmers in the water but most especially the athletes themselves,” Uganda Swimming Federation vice president (technical), said. “The swimmers are highly motivated and well trained for this event,” he added.

Uganda will present 90 swimmers; 44 in Team A and 46 in Team B, while Tanzania, Kenya, Eritrea, Sudan, and Burundi are expected to participate too. The swimming championship has four categories; 12years and under, 13-14, 15-16, and 17 and over.

Uganda chose its team from the recently concluded USF National Championships. The competition rules allow a maximum of two athletes from each country to enter a given race.

Uganda’s top two performers per race were entered in Team A while the third and fourth-best are in Team B.

“I do not know about other countries but I am confident of our team because of what we did at the National Championships,” 12 and under swimmer Heer Usadadiya said.