False Start as Team Kenya Faces Early Exits in Fencing and Swimming at Paris Olympic Games

The Paris Olympic Games commenced on a somber note for Team Kenya, with early exits for fencer Alexandra Ndolo, swimmer Ridhwan Abubakar, and the national Sevens rugby team, Shujaa, on Saturday. Despite the high hopes and historic milestones, the team faced tough competition and heartbreak.

Alexandra Ndolo’s Historic Fencing Debut

Alexandra Ndolo made history as Kenya’s first Olympic fencer, securing her slot for the Paris Games by being ranked 14th in the 2023/24 season, the highest rank ever achieved by an African fencer. Ndolo, who previously represented Germany for 15 years and switched allegiance to Kenya in 2022 to honor her late father, faced a nail-biting encounter against Ukrainian Olena Kryvystka. Despite her best efforts, Ndolo was narrowly defeated 13-12, marking a heart-wrenching end to her Olympic journey.

Ndolo expressed her emotions on social media the night before the event, stating, “I intend to make every second count.” Her journey has been marked by resilience and a deep connection to her Kenyan roots. “I feel like even when it has been hard, he’s with me every step of the way,” Ndolo shared, reflecting on her late father’s influence.

The fencing event saw Hong Kong’s Vivian Man Wai clinch the gold, with Auriane Mallo of France and Hungary’s Eszter Muhari taking silver and bronze, respectively. Kenya had aimed to join the ranks of African nations with Olympic fencing medals, a feat previously achieved by Egypt’s Alaaeldin Abouelkassem and Tunisia’s Ines Boubakri.

Ridhwan Abubakar’s Struggle in Swimming

Ridhwan Abubakar, Kenya’s representative in the men’s 400m freestyle, also faced an early exit. Abubakar finished fourth in his heat with a time of 4:05.14, trailing behind Costa Rica’s Alberto Vega, Raekwon Noel of Guyana, and Morocco’s Ilias El Fallaki. His performance ranked him 36th overall, with Germany’s Lukas Martens, Australia’s Elijah Winnington, and Germany’s Oliver Klemet securing the podium finishes.

Abubakar had qualified for the Olympics by lowering his national record from 4:05.65 to 4:04.39 in Croatia last month, earning him 730 World Aquatic points and a ticket to Paris. Hopes were high for Abubakar to follow in the footsteps of Kenyan swimming great Jason Dunford, who represented the country in London 2012 and Beijing 2008.

Shujaa’s Rugby Setback

The national Sevens rugby team, Shujaa, also had a disappointing run, finishing ninth after a 10-5 victory over Samoa in the ninth-place playoff. Shujaa failed to record any wins in the group stages, where they were grouped with Olympic bronze medallists Australia and Samoa.

In their group matches, Shujaa suffered a 31-12 loss to Argentina, a 21-7 defeat to Australia, and a final 26-0 loss to Samoa. Despite the setbacks, the team had previously shown promise by stunning South Africa with a 17-12 victory at the Africa Men’s Sevens in Harare, Zimbabwe, which secured their Olympic slot.

Looking Ahead

While the early exits were a blow to Team Kenya, the resilience and spirit displayed by the athletes remain commendable. Alexandra Ndolo’s historic participation, Ridhwan Abubakar’s record-breaking qualification, and Shujaa’s determined effort to reach the Olympics are milestones that reflect the potential and dedication within Kenyan sports. As the Paris Games continue, the focus shifts to the remaining athletes and events, with hopes of achieving greater success and bringing pride to the nation.