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Category: Kenyan Sports

  • Team Kenya Gears up for Showdown in the 1500m Finals

    by Ben Ayuko

    contact info: benayuko@gmail.com

    {images by Reuters}

     

    Kenya’s runners in the 1500m event enjoyed a smooth transition from the heats into the finals at the Paris Olympica,2024.

    The three men, Reynold Cheruiyot, Timothy Cheruiyot and Brian Komen will be looking to reclaim the Gold Medal for their nation. Not since Asbel Kiprop in 2008 has there been a Kenyan athlete on the top step of the podium in the 1500m event. There is a dire need to rectify this error.

    And they feel it too.

    Asked about his ambitions going into the tournament, Reynold had this to say, “I believe we can win the gold medal. You see Timothy (Cheruiyot) is back, so we will be working together to ensure that one of us wins the title. What we will need is to work as a team.”

    Having won the 1500m event during the Olympic trials in Kenya, he is ready to throw his hat in the ring, looking to be the man who ends the drought for Team Kenya.

    This will be the 20-yr-old’s Olympic debut after placing 8th in the World Championships in Budapest, 2023. He is clearly pumped up and excited for the games as he lines up alongside his hero, Timothy Cheruiyot, to take on the best in the world.

    Brian Komen, another top athlete, is looking ready to take on the final after breezing through his heat and coming through in 2nd place. The 2024 African Championships Gold Medalist is in fine form and will be raring to go in the final, especially considering how close he was to missing the plane to Paris entirely.

    After beating compatriot, Timothy Cheruiyot, the Diamond League in May, he will be feeling very confident about his chances at taking Gold come the hour.

    Timothy Cheruiyot, perhaps the favourite among the 3, will be looking to get a certain monkey that has been living on his back for the longest time.

    Although he did claim the Gold at the 2019 World Championships in Qatar, it is the Olympic Podium that he wants to get a taste of. Having missed out in 2016 after failing to qualify during the trials, he improved his technique and just about found himself on the plane to Tokyo at the very last minute. This did not seem to deter him, though, as he managed an admirable 2ndplace finish. However, the Silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, proved insufficient to satiate his thirst. It is the Olympic Gold that he really wants to wear around his neck.

    “My dream is to get back to the top of the podium, ” Timothy said. “That silver in Tokyo was great, but I want to upgrade it. I need to have the gold.”

     

    It will not be smooth sailing though, as they will have to stave off competition from the Norwegian, Jakob Ingebrigtsen, the current Olympic Champion and holder of the Olympic Record-time in the event.

    Englishman, Josh Kerr, will no doubt have thrown his hat in the ring, having had to settle for the Bronze medal in Tokyo 2020.

  • Throw Down Zeros Zeddy’s Judo Dreams

    by Ben Ayuko

    contact info: benayuko@gmail.com

    {images by NOC-K}

     

    In yet another first, Zeddy Cherotich made our nation proud when she became the first female Judoka to represent Kenya in the Judo event at the Olympics, Paris 2024.

    This time round, she was the only Kenyan Judoka in the tournament when she came up against the Portuguese, Patricia Sampaio. A tough match-up in only the first round of the tournament against the 2023 European Championship Bronze medalist. Zeddy would have to come with every bit of knowledge she had learned in her practice if she wanted to make it through to the next round.

    No sooner had the bout started, than Sampaio showed her class, getting in her first Waza-ari after she managed to flip Zeddy over her shoulder and onto the ground. A real show of strength and power.

    It was about 10 seconds later when Sampaio sealed the match with a dominant move as she pinned Zeddy onto the mat for her second Waza-ari. This was enough to earn her the win. Zeddy tried her hardest, but her opponent proved just a little too determined for her to deal with on the day. 10-0 the final score as the 2014 National Champion’s Olympic run came to an end.

    Sampaio would advance further and further into the tournament, losing only one match which was against the eventual tournament and Gold medal winner, Italian Alice Bellandi.

    She would have to settle for victory in the Bronze medal match, securing yet another Bronze medal in her second year running.

    No cigar then for Zeddy as she goes back to the drawing board and prepares for her next tournament when she will get the chance to prove herself once more.

     

     

  • Gathimba Battles it out on the Race-Walking Track

    by Ben Ayuko

    contact info: benayuko@gmail.com

    {image by NOC-K}

     

    Samuel Gathimba was our Kenyan representative, out of 50 competitors, in the 20 Kilometer Race-Walk event at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

    He was coming up against a tough field, including defending Olympic and World Champion, the Italian, Massimo Stano.

    It was a tough race with different competitors employing different strategies. Some were opting to shoot off immediately from the onset and build up a gap between themselves and everybody else, while others were conserving their energy early on, hoping to deploy it deeper into the race.

    The eventual winner of the race, Ecuadorian Brian Daniel Pintado, opted for the latter strategy. He was running in as low a position as 37th place during the early stages of the race.

    Gathimba opted for the secret option number three strategy: maintaining a steady pace for the whole race, which could have worked had he got a better in a higher position.

    He was steadily climbing up the field and found himself in 10th position with 5km to go. He could have found himself fighting for one of the medal positions considering he was, at this point, ahead of the Brazilian, Caio Bonfim, who eventually finished the race in 2nd place. However, this is when his energy reserves started to betray him. Try as he might, he just couldn’t keep up with the race and slowly started fading away.

    Alas, despite clocking his fastest time of the season– 1hr 21min 26sec – and finishing in the top half of the field, he could only muster a 22nd place finished.

    “Kulikuwa na mabingwa wengi wenye walikuwa wameshinda 2023, 2022…na hata ukifuatilia, utapata hata hawakumake bracket,” Gathimba said. “Let me say, Expectations zangu hazikuenda vile nilikuwa nataka. So, im going to run more and more...”

    Translation: “There were previous winners from past years who didn’t even make the cut,” Gathimba said. “My expectations didn’t pan out to my liking. But I’ll keep running…”

    A valiant effort from the 2-time Africa Games Champion as he can live with his head held high knowing he gave his best effort in the competition, which is really all anyone could have asked of him.

     

  • Team Kenya Taken Down by Polish Precision

    by Ben Ayuko

    contact info: benayuko@gmail.com

    {image by KBC}

     

    Team Kenya‘s Volleyball ladies took on Poland in the second group game of the Olympic tournament.

    Poland, one of the favourites to win the whole tournament, was looking to keep up their winning run after an opening round victory against the Japanese.

    Kenya was looking for redemption after the dire humbling tach came against Brazil

    Kenya actually started off well, managing to secure 3 points early in in the first set to put Poland on the backfoot. It was looking like it could be a new day for the Malkia Strikers, who were putting their best foot forward. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

    In no time at all, Poland had pulled away and opened up a gigantic lead that saw them take the first set, 25-14.

    The story of the second set was very similar. Team Kenya kept up with the Polish outfit initially as the set began. And then, suddenly, Poland just blew us away. 25-17 how the set ended.

    Set three, however, was a different story. Whereas before we started the set on level footing, this time, we were completely blown out of the water from the off. We simply could not keep up with the 2-time European Champions as they looked to see out the game without giving up any chances for a comeback. 25-15 how the set ended as we, once again, were defeated 3-0 without reply.

    The was a silver lining for Team Kenya which lay in the performances of Kenya Pipeline duo Pamela Adhiambo and Veronicah Oluoch. They topped the scoring charts with 14 and 13 points respectively.

    Back to the drawing board then as the Malkias prepare to face off against Japan in the final group game.

  • Kenya Caned by Brilliant Brazilians

    by Ben Ayuko

    contact info: benayuko@gmail.com

    {image by GettyImages}

     

    The Kenya Women’s Volleyball Team kicked off their Olympics campaign against Brazil on the 30th of July 2024

    The 2023 African Volleyball Champions were looking to carry the same form that earned them a Gold Medal in the African Championships, just a year prior, into Paris.

    Led by Captain, Triza Atuka, they took to the court to face what would prove to be a tough test against a well-trained outfit in Brazil.

    Our Malkia Strikers put their best foot forward, but they were not prepared for this Brazil team as they claimed point after point.  The completely overwhelmed the Kenyans who had no response for the aggressive nature with which they took to the court. Every serve was returned, every rally was turned over, every spike was blocked…everything the Kenyans tried to orchestrate was immediately shut down and returned with vigour from the other side of the net. And they only seemed to get stronger the longer the game went on.

    It was quite the statement of intent from the Canarinhas as they finished the game after winning all 3 sets without reply (25-14, 25-13, 25-12). A rude awakening for Team Kenya in case any of the players were doubting the reverence that is bestowed upon games with the Olympic tag.

    Despite the disappointing result, Captain Atuka found some positives that her and her team could take from the experience. “We had our good moments and (I am) happy that we have improved on our reception, which is usually an issue…” she said, “…having played Brail today is an eye-opener…now we know what to plan on to approach the next match.”

    With 2 more group games to play against Japan and Poland in the coming days, they will have some time to regroup and refocus their efforts to try and salvage their Olympic charge.

  • The 2 Kenyans Swimming with the Best of Them

    by Ben Ayuko

    contact info: benayuko@gmail.com

    {image by NOC-K}

     

    Bwana Abubakar Ridhwan Mohamed represented Kenya in the 400m freestyle event in swimming competition at the Paris Olympics.

    He was facing a tough field of swimmers, and it showed from the start as they took off, leaving him behind. It wasn’t until the 100m meter mark when he caught up to the rest of the field and, in a turn of events, took the lead of the race; no doubt a proud moment.

    Alas, it was to be a moment and nothing more, as by the time they hit the 200m mark, he had been overcome by the strong swimmers.

    He finished in 4th place in his heat which, unfortunately, meant his Olympic dream had come to an end. But not before giving us a glimpse of what we have to look forward to in future tournaments from the 23-year-old.

    The National Recorder will now be focusing his attentions on cheering on his fellow swimming teammate, Maria Brunlehner, as she prepares to emulate his achievement in her own event, the 50m freestyle on Saturday, the 3rd of August 2024.

    Maria will be looking to replicate the performance she gave in 2019 that earned her a Bronze Medal in the Africa Games held in Rabat, Morocco. Of course, at the time she was competing in the 4x100m medley relay and therefore was working in a team.  However, she is quietly confident of her chances in the event.

    “It’s an honour to compete there and I’m very excited,” Maria said. “Hopefully I can break the National Record. I just want to do my best.”

    With her sights locked on setting a new National Record, like Abubakar before her, we can only cheer her on as she fights through the field on her way to the final on the grandest of stages.

     

  • Ndolo Has Some Strong Words After Her Un-Epee Ending

    by Ben Ayuko

    contact info: benayuko@gmail.com

    {image by GettyImages}

     

    Alexandra Ndolo made her country proud when she became the first person in Kenya’s history– male or female– to represent Kenya in Fencing at the Olympic games.

    The 2022 women’s epee world silver medalist participated in the Tableau of 32 where she came up against her old nemesis- Olena Kryvytska of Ukraine- who was also once the world silver medalist. It was a tough draw for her first round.

    The last time they met was in the European Olympic Qualifiers in 2021.  where they had a similarly long and hard-fought battle. Back then, Ndolo– who was representing Germany at the time– fell behind early in the 1st round but did well to recover and catch up going into the 3rd round. Unfortunately, she had left herself with too much to do and ended up losing the bout 15-12.

    This time round, it was a much closer contest as both women went point for point through all the rounds. The points were tied 12-12, meaning the judges had to usher them into sudden death in order to determine a winner. For football fans, this is akin to the golden goal rule in extra time.

    As luck would have, it was not to be Ndolo’s night as she took a hit early in overtime, bringing the match to a close.

    Her nemesis, Kryvytska, would go on to have another tough match against Ruien Xiao from Canada. She just about edged it at 15-14. She would advance into the quarterfinals where she would meet her match in, eventual winner, Vivian Man Wai from Hong Kong, who overwhelmed her with a score of 15-7.

    After the bout, Ndolo would reveal some doubts that she had about representing Team Kenya in a future tournament.

    When asked a question on the topic, she responded, “…if the environment around me will allow, I will continue fencing for Kenya. If it doesn’t, you know, I have told you many times that I will quit. I wish to keep representing Kenya but only if the structures are there to do it properly.”

    The 2023 African Champion had previously called out the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) for letting her down.

    In an Instagram post, she vented her frustration at missing out on the first World Cup of the 2023/24 season in Legnano, Italy after the federation failed to register her for the competition.

     

     

  • Shujaas Bow Out of the Olympics

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by Supersport}

     

    The Rugby 7s Olympic circuit in Paris began on the 24th of July. 2024 and honestly, it is not looking good for Team Kenya.

    There were 2 games played on the first day.

    First up was Argentina.

    Kenya actually started off well with an early try, after 3 minutes, after some individual brilliance from Chrisant Ojwang.  Argentina hit back before the break to level the score, save for missing their conversion.

    It was a relatively tentative first half and the second half started in more or less the same fashion as both teams were not looking to give the other an inch. It was, however, only a minute into the second half when Argentina struck again, after some good play down the wing. Kenya was not to be outdone though as we hit straight back a minute later. A good turn over in midfield saw the Shujaas launch a counter-attack, Kevin Wekesa showing some good hands to hold onto an offloaded pass by Ojwang and touch down in the try box.

    This is when the game changed though, as a series of unnecessary errors allowed Los Pumas to attack constantly and eventually overcome our defensive line.

    31-12 the final score as Kenya started off the Olympic games on the back foot.

     

    The second game against Australia…

    …did not fare any better.

    Australia began proceedings, running into the try box after some individual brilliance from the attacker.

    Kenya hit back after some quick thinking from Anthony Omondi, first to kick the ball into space behind the Australian defensive line. And second to take a quick penalty while the Australian defense was still readjusting and sailing over the tryline to level the score.

    Australia hit again just before halftime to go into the break with the lead.

    The Shujaas mounted a serious challenge to Australia in the second half but could not break their defenses. Australia managed to keep us at arms length and then, just before the final whistle, they hit us again guaranteeing their victory.

    21-7 the final score, leaving Kenya with it all to do in our last game against Samoa.

     

    The last game was against Samoa

    This one was difficult to watch.

    We needed a hefty score line against the Samoans in order to book a place in the next round of fixtures. But it was not to be. We looked tired, uninspired and devoid of ideas.

    The game had only just begun before Samoa went over for their first try.  We picked ourselves up and tried to take the game to Manu Samoa, but they held us at arm’s length. Things were made worse by the concession of a thoroughly avoidable yellow card for a needle offense, just before halftime. 5-0 at the break.

    Samoa came out energized and their one-man advantage proved pivotal as they scored their second try with barely a minute on the clock. Things were looking dire.

    Kenya tried to fightback with the likes of speedster Patrick Adongo and try scorer, Chrisant Ojwang, but to no avail. And because of the desperation in our attack, we left ourselves open to counter attacks.

    2 more tries for Samoa and one more yellow card for Kenya as the game ended 26-0, condemning the Shujaas to an early flight back home.

    That also made it 3 losses out of 3 for Team Kenya.

    It was a tough tournament for us. All that’s left now is for head coach, Kevin Wambua (dp), to regroup with the troupes and prepare for the next outing.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Team Kenya

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by @Teamkenya/x.com}

     

    Team Kenya to represent our country at the Olympics has been finalized. It contains 37 members {22 Men and 15 Women} all spread out across 16 events.

    Notable inclusions include Ferdinand Omanyala representing our country in the 100m; he’ll be looking to achieve his first ever medal on the world stage as well as Kenya’s first ever podium finish in the 100m event on the grandest of stages.    

    Another is Eliud Kipchoge. After he broke the internet with the INEOS challenge, Kipchoge will be looking to make even more history when he represents our country in the Marathon.

    Samuel Gathimba is another inclusion just for the absurdity of it. I mean, obviously I wish him the best of luck, I just didn’t know we had any contestants representing us in the Race-Walking event.

    Faith Kipyegon, the current defending Olympic Champion and World Record Holder in the 1500m, is also going and she is sure to give us something to cheer about from here at home.

    Beatrice Chebet, who has been described as “sweet and humble in person, but a lioness on the track”, just recently shattered the world record in the 10,000m and she will surely be aiming for some more fireworks at the Olympic Games. Of course, she will be coming up against Faith Kipyegon in the 5000m, so that rivalry might be something to watch on the day.

    Those are just some names to watch out for, but really, we should watch out for all of them and give them all the support they deserve when the time comes.

  • Our Own Bolt

    by Ben Ayuko

    {image by Pulse Sport Kenya}

    Ferdinand Omanyala, Kenya’s very own answer to Usain Bolt, once again dominated the track in the 100m, this time at the Olympic Trials held in Nyayo Stadium. He clocked an impressive 9.79s which is the fastest time recorded in the world in this calendar year (2024). He is clearly a special talent, and it shows in his ability to consistently deliver in these events.

    There may have been some doubt regarding his standing with the rest of the world, which in some parts of the Kenyan athletics fandom still exists, but that is no longer in question after witnessing him go blow for blow against the current best sprinters in the world time and time again, and time and time come out in the mix at the top end of the field. He’s come out on top once or twice in these competitions, but more often than not, he comes up short against the best. Surely it’s only a matter of time though

    The Diamond League track meet in Monaco on June 2nd is a good example. Omanyala came up against the American, Christian Coleman, who was the 100m world champion in 2019. Coleman is a sprinter with pedigree having gone up against the likes of Usain Bolt and Justin Gatlin multiple times, coming out on top. He is literally at the spearhead of the new age sprinter’s generation. This is no ordinary match up. Omanyala put his best foot forward, as he often does, but he could only muster up a 2nd place finish…by 3/100ths of a second. That’s not a lot.

    Now, obviously he did suffer heartbreak in Budapest, 2023 world championships when he came 7th. I’m sure that must have hurt his confidence in himself a lot. But it was his debut season in the championship. Getting to the final was impressive in and of itself.

    As a Kenyan interested in athletics, it’s a bit of an anomaly to see one of our own competing on such a grand stage in this event. Kenyans are usually known for long distance running so seeing him break the Mould in such dramatic fashion is thoroughly entertaining to watch and everyone should be behind him as he attempts to do what no other Kenyan has really done in our history.