Kenyan wrestlers are brimming with confidence ahead of the World Indoor Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, and the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, with the athletes targeting strong performances against the world’s best.
Kenya Amateur Wrestling Association (KAWA) Secretary General Eric Walucho said the national teams had prepared well for the two international assignments, which offer opportunities to win medals, gain valuable experience and strengthen Kenya’s ambitions of returning to the Olympic stage.
The senior team comprises 10 wrestlers competing at the World Championships which take place from October 23 to November 1, while Calvin Nyatuka and Jemima Nakhumicha will represent Kenya in beach wrestling at the Youth Olympic Games.
Nyatuka, competing in the men’s 70kg category, and Nakhumicha, in the women’s 65kg division, are Kenya’s only qualifiers in wrestling for the Dakar Games, having earned their places through the qualification process.
Walucho described their qualification as a historic achievement for Kenyan wrestling, expressing optimism that the duo could translate their promising performances into medals when competition begins on November 7-8.
“We have tried to go through the list of competitors and found that most of the African wrestlers we will face are those we managed to beat during qualification in Morocco,” explained Walucho during the team's training session at Mtaalam Wrestling Ckub inside Kamiti Prison in Kiambu County on Wednesday, October 15.
He identified competitors from Ukraine and the United States as potential challenges, but maintained that the Kenyan pair had the ability to compete favourably.
Nakhumicha, who is an African champion after collecting gold medals in indoor and beach wrestling early this year, is particularly confident of making an impact. Ranked 12th in the world in her category, she believes years of training have prepared her for the biggest challenge of her young career.
“My dream is to get gold, and I believe that I will achieve it,” she said, thanking her coaches and teammates for their support throughout her development.
Nakhumicha, who has progressed through successive age-group competitions, added that she was determined to correct her mistakes and maintain her form ahead of the Games.
Nyatuka, who has been wrestling for four years, is equally ambitious. He disclosed that the preparation had been challenging, but expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the team.
“We have prepared well, and I am happy to participate in the Youth Olympic Games,” observed Nyatuka, adding that he hoped to win gold.
The two athletes are scheduled to leave Kenya on October 29 for an acclimatisation camp in Dakar before joining other competitors at the Olympic Village on November 5.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s senior wrestlers are preparing to test themselves against elite international opposition in Astana, with experienced campaigners Joel Tukai and Mahabila Mathayo leading the challenge.
Mathayo, who competes in the 79kg category and is supported through an International Olympic Committee scholarship, said the championships would provide an important measure of his progress towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“There are no easy games at the World Championships, but I have prepared well,” he sressed. “My target at the World Championships is to win.”
Mathayo added that his immediate priority was to remain fit, avoid injuries and use the experience to prepare for next year’s Olympic qualifiers.
Faith Nanjala Wamalwa, who competes in the women’s 68kg category, is eager to make her first appearance at the World Championships. She said the opportunity had strengthened her determination to perform well and reward the confidence shown in her.
“I am getting closer to my goal. I am ready to fight,” revealed Wamalwa.
Walucho noted that Mathayo and Wamalwa would attend a United World Wrestling training camp in Astana from October 18-23 before the championships, allowing them to sharpen their skills ahead of competition.
He noted that the senior squad combines experienced wrestlers with young athletes who have graduated from cadet and junior levels, particularly among the women.
The federation hopes the exposure will help Kenya assess its international standing and build a stronger team for future Olympic qualifiers.
Walucho said sustained preparation and institutional support would be crucial to achieving those ambitions, including at the 2032 Brisbane Games.
With Nakhumicha and Nyatuka chasing Youth Olympic medals and the senior team targeting success in Astana, Kenyan wrestling is looking to turn its growing confidence into results on the international stage.
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