Swimmer who attended Green Hope High sets record for Uganda at Paris Olympics
Green Hope High School graduate Jesse Ssengonzi made swimming history for Uganda at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Ssengonzi, who grew up in Cary, represented his home country in the 100-meter butterfly last week and set a new Ugandan record in the event. He finished his race in 53.76 seconds, breaking his own national record.
The University of Chicago graduate and two-time NCAA Division III champion set Uganda’s previous record of 54.06 last year at the TYR Pro Swim Series in Westmont, Illinois.
Ssengonzi started the first 50 meters 3/10ths of a second slower than his time at Westmont, but he made up for it by closing the race 6/10ths of a second faster in the final 50 meters.
He placed second in his heat but finished 31st overall, missing out on the semifinals. Ssengonzi, however, is reportedly the highest-finishing male swimmer for Uganda. Since 1984, only seven other men represented Uganda in Olympic swimming, according to Olympedia.
Ganzi Mugala previously held the best finish for Uganda in the Olympic Games. Mugala placed 53rd in the 50-meter freestyle during the 2012 London Olympics.
“Overall, I’m pretty happy with the performance I went out a little slower than I intended to, but that’s good because that means there’s room for improvement in the future,” Ssengonzi said in an interview with Kawowo Sports. “The atmosphere was amazing and I had a really great time.”
Ssengonzi will soon return to the United States, where he will work full-time and continue training for future competitions.
This story was originally published August 5, 2024 at 4:39 PM.
