Kenya’s rising wrestling stars Vivian Adhiambo and Clinton Omari arrived back in the country on Tuesday morning after a successful outing at the Africa School Games in Annaba, Algeria.
Omari clinched two bronze medals—one in Greco-Roman and the other in freestyle—while Adhiambo showed exceptional grit to bring home a bronze medal in the women’s category despite battling injury.
Coach Erick Cheptai expressed pride in the duo’s performance, noting that technicalities may have cost them a shot at gold or silver.
“I’m incredibly proud of the two for what they achieved. Adhiambo pushed through pain after sustaining a knee injury and still managed to secure a bronze. That kind of resilience is what makes champions,” Cheptai said.
He also highlighted the disparity in team sizes, noting that hosts Algeria fielded 30 wrestlers—10 in each category—compared to Kenya’s two.
“Despite the numbers, our athletes outperformed many of their counterparts. We’ve shown we have talent; now it’s time to develop it further,” Cheptai added. He also revealed plans to craft a detailed training program for the duo and other athletes Kenya hopes to qualify for the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympics.
Adhiambo, who sprained her knee in her final match, underwent an MRI scan upon her return. She is under medical observation and may be forced to sit out the upcoming East Africa Amateur Wrestling Championships scheduled for August 9–10, 2025, in Nairobi.
Omari, meanwhile, has only two days of rest before joining training camp under coach Mark Onguyesi Omumasaba, who will guide Kenya’s young wrestlers during the regional competition.
With Adhiambo and Omari’s impressive performances, attention now shifts to the East Africa Amateur Wrestling Championships, where Kenya is set to field 50 wrestlers across senior and junior categories—male and female—as they aim to defend the title they won in last year’s inaugural edition.
