Kenyaโs 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 medalsโone in Greco-Roman and the other in freestyleโwhile Adhiambo showed exceptional grit to bring home a bronze medal in the womenโs category despite battling injury.
Coach Erick Cheptai expressed pride in the duoโs performance, noting that technicalities may have cost them a shot at gold or silver.
โIโm 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,โ Cheptai said.
He also highlighted the disparity in team sizes, noting that hosts Algeria fielded 30 wrestlersโ10 in each categoryโcompared to Kenyaโs two.
โDespite the numbers, our athletes outperformed many of their counterparts. Weโve shown we have talent; now itโs time to develop it further,โ 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 9โ10, 2025, in Nairobi.
Omari, meanwhile, has only two days of rest before joining training camp under coach Mark Onguyesi Omumasaba, who will guide Kenyaโs young wrestlers during the regional competition.
With Adhiambo and Omariโs impressive performances, attention now shifts to the East Africa Amateur Wrestling Championships, where Kenya is set to field 50 wrestlers across senior and junior categoriesโmale and femaleโas they aim to defend the title they won in last yearโs inaugural edition.
