Kenya sends 18 wrestlers to Africa Championships in Morocco

By , April 30, 2025

The Kenya Amateur Wrestling Association (KAWA) has dispatched a team of 18 wrestlers (seven cadets and 11 seniors) to represent the country at the Africa Wrestling Championships, which kicked off yesterday and runs until May 4, 2025, at the Complexe Sportif Mohammed V Indoor Arena in Casablanca, Morocco.

Speaking on Tuesday morning from Morocco shortly after the opening ceremony, KAWA Secretary General Erick Walucho said his main focus is on the cadet wrestlers (Under-17), who are aiming to accumulate enough points to qualify for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. He noted that the wrestlers had ample opportunity to showcase their abilities during the Naivasha Open Wrestling Tournament held two months ago, which was used for national team selection.

“Of course we do have senior wrestlers participating in this event, but my hope and wish is to send at least ten cadet wrestlers to Dakar next year,” said Walucho, adding that Kenya’s hopes for a strong medal haul lie in consistent preparation and increased qualification to global and continental events.

The cadet wrestlers will be coached by retired wrestler and 2023 Africa Beach Games silver medallist, Mark Onguyesi Omumasaba. The team includes three female cadets: 65kg Janet Ingwesi, who debuted last year at the East Africa Amateur Wrestling Championships in Nairobi; Joy Lichuma (50kg); and Shalying Joy (49kg). All three won gold medals at last year’s regional competition.

The male cadet wrestlers representing Kenya in Casablanca are Clinton Omari (65kg), Dan Kegode (60kg), Kibugi Waweru (65kg) and Calvin Nyatuka (71kg).

The senior team, set to depart Nairobi for Morocco on Wednesday evening, will be coached by Peter Omenda and James Oriri. The squad features Joel Tukai (130kg), Dan Aura (96kg), Evans Wafula (86kg), Brian Oloo (76kg), James Omwange (70kg), Kennedy Koech (65kg), Benson Njoroge (62kg), Leonard Mumo (56kg), and 2023 Africa Beach Games bronze medallist Mathayo Mahabila, who is already in Casablanca.

Veteran Emma Wangila (50kg) and Emily Wanyama (55kg) are the two senior women who made the cut for the continental assignment.

Fouad Meskout, president of the Royal Moroccan Wrestling Federation, expressed excitement at Kenya’s participation, promising world-class hospitality for all teams.

He thanked United World Wrestling (UWW) for giving Morocco the opportunity to host, calling it a “rare” honour and vowing to make it a memorable experience.

With Kenya’s junior wrestlers taking to the mat on Tuesday morning and the seniors set to compete from Thursday, the six-day continental championship promises to stir excitement among wrestling stakeholders both at home and abroad, especially with Walucho’s vision of sending at least ten cadets to next year’s Youth Olympics firmly in focus.

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