By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
Kampala: Ugandan Grace Noble Kathleen based in the United States topped the 2km race in the single scull catergory during the Africa Rowing Regatta held at Lake Tunis, Tunisia.
Kathleen 24 years, was born in a village called Kiwoko, Luweero – central Uganda to Gerry and Moira Noble, the father was a practicing doctor in Luweero at the time (the family has since relocated to Lubowa, along Entebbe road).
Kathleen finished as number one in the B final, after clocking 8 minutes and 36 seconds and became the first rower to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
“I am excited about having qualified for the Olympics. It is a dream come true having trained for a very long time. Special thanks to my training mates and the coach (Hassan Ismael) for the effort undertaken to prepare.” She said.
The Utah State based Kathleen picked up rowing when she joined Princeton University in the US.
She was part of the Ugandan team at the 2012 World Swimming Championship in Istanbul, Turkey. Her maiden rowing championship for Uganda was during the 2016 World Rowing U-23 event held in Rotterdam, Holland.
With less than nine months to kick off the Summer Olympic games in Tokyo, Kathleen intends to start early preparations ahead of the games.
“I will embark on a vigorous training regime back in Salt Lake City with my coach so that I can undertake serious preparations” She added.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s other rower Douglas Kisalare failed his bid to qualify for the Olympics finishing fourth in the single men Scull B event.
The Summer Olympic games will take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020 in Tokyo, Japan where over 206 countries are expected to take part.
