• OTHERS

• Frank Rotich 1 day ago

Kenya wins six more medals at African Youth Games in Angola

Kenya continued its strong run at the African Youth Games after winning six more medals in weightlifting, taekwondo and boxing on Thursday.

The medals pushed Kenya’s overall tally to 23 at the Games in Luanda Angola.

‎‎The day started well for Team Kenya when young weightlifter Amanda Linah delivered an impressive performance in the women’s 48kg category.

The rising star won two silver medals and one bronze, finishing on the podium in both the snatch and clean and jerk events. It was a rare triple-medal feat that underlined her growing promise.

‎‎Amanda said she is now aiming higher after another strong showing on the continental stage. She previously won six silver medals at the 2024 Africa Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships in Nairobi.

“I’m targeting gold in the next championship, but I’m happy with today’s performance,” she said.

“This competition has helped me understand where I am and what I need to improve as I work towards the Youth Olympics.”

‎‎Kenya also shone in taekwondo, with 15-year-old Racheal Wekesa winning silver in the Under-48kg category. She lost 2-0 to Egypt’s Leyan Yasser Mohammed in the final after close contests.

‎‎In the boys’ Under-45kg event, Gideon Robert secured a bronze medal after falling to Issaka Mahamadou of Ivory Coast. Despite the loss, Robert’s podium finish added to Kenya’s growing medal count.

‎‎Taekwondo Under-17 head coach Vincent Dock praised his team, saying the Games offered valuable experience ahead of the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar.

“This is the first time we are winning silver and bronze at this level,” Dock said. “It shows we are improving, and this was a good chance to prepare because we will face these same teams again.”

‎‎Kenya also reached the podium in boxing, where Clinton Omondi won bronze in the boys’ Under-50kg category.

Omondi lost to DR Congo’s Bofenda Mabela but impressed in his first appearance at the continental level.

‎‎Boxing Under-17 head coach Job Ochieng said Kenya is rebuilding its strength in the sport.

“We are on the right path, and we will have a strong team for the Youth Olympics and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” he said.

‎‎By the end of Thursday, Kenya had collected four gold, seven silver and 12 bronze medals, bringing the total to 23.

‎‎However, it was disappointment for Kenya’s boys’ 3x3 beach basketball team, who exited the Games at the group stage after losing all three matches to Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast and hosts Angola.

‎As the Games near the end, Kenya’s young athletes have shown clear progress and promise, offering hope for even stronger performances on the global stage in the future.