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Team Kenya wrestlers missed their maiden continental crown at the just concluded second edition of the Africa Beach Games in the town of Hammet in Tunisia.

Speaking right after their last event on Friday, Kenya Armature Wrestling Association (KAWA) Secretary General Erick Walucho who also doubled as head of delegation was a man over the moon.

“We are so delighted to make Kenya proud with medals. Of course, we have lessons to learn, but slowly the coaching staff will deal with that as we now have to focus on the world beach games in Indonesia and the world championships in Serbia,” said Walucho who regretted his missed opportunities for a gold medal.

The contingent started off well on Thursday when Mark Omumasaba Onguyesi toppled South Africa’s Machiel Johannes Grobler out of the ring to win a silver medal in the 90kg men’s category by 3-0 after his coach Liunus Masheti had successfully appealed an earlier the decision that would have ruled the Kenyan heavyweight out.

On Friday, Mathayo Matonya Mahabila won a bronze in the men’s 80kg division after muscling out Tunisia’s Khairedinne Ben Tlili 3-1 in the semi-final one but dropped down for the third-place honours after losing 4-1 in semi-final two to Ngor Niakhe of Senegal who went on to win gold at the event.
In the women’s category, Emma Nekesa Wangila lost in round one against Miesinei Mercy from Nigeria by 3-0, but redeemed herself in round two by winning against Mbuka Madalena of Angola by 1-0, but lost 3-0 to Nahamie Sambou of Senegal next and finished with a narrow loss to Algeria’s Chelma Chebila 2-1 after the match official penalised her for pulling Algeria’s hair hence missing out on the much-needed bronze medal.

Winrose Alivisa (70kg) won round one against South Africa’s Bea Meiring 1-0 and tied 0-0 in round two against Safietou Goudiaby from Senegal, but was unlucky as she got injured marking the end of her competition.

Emily Wanyama (60kg) got a bye in round one and started round two against Uganda’s Veronica Ayo and won 3-0 before losing to Chaimaa Fouzia from Algeria 3-0 in round three, losing again to a similar margin in round four against Esther Omaloyo from Nigeria and finally losing round five against Mame Sambou from Senegal 3-1.
 
Team Kenya jetted back to the country on Saturday night and will resume their residential training camp on July 10 in preparation for the Association of National Olympic Committee (ANOC) World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia from August 1-5 and the World Wrestling Championships from September 16 to 24 this year.