Kenya Stun Australia to Win Historic Youth Olympic Rugby Gold in Dakar
Kenya’s Rising Lionesses have made history after defeating Australia 17–12 in a dramatic sudden-death final to win the women’s rugby sevens gold medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The victory marks Kenya’s first gold medal at the Dakar Games and a significant milestone for the country’s women’s rugby programme.
Playing at Stade Iba Mar Diop in Dakar, the Kenyan youngsters produced a spirited performance to overcome an Australian side that had beaten them 17–5 during the group stage.
The gold-medal clash was fiercely contested, with Australia opening the scoring before Kenya responded through captain Zain Hido, whose try levelled the scores at 5–5 at half-time.
Australia regained the advantage after the break, extending their lead to 12–5 with a converted try.
However, the Rising Lionesses refused to give up.
Josephine Kerubo crossed the try line for Kenya’s second try, while Diana Wanjiku added the conversion to level the scores at 12–12 and force the match into extra time.
Kenya eventually delivered the decisive blow in sudden death, scoring the winning try to seal a memorable 17–12 victory and spark celebrations among the Kenyan contingent.
An impressive campaign
Kenya’s journey to the gold medal was defined by resilience, determination and consistency.
The Rising Lionesses began their campaign with a 12–5 victory over China before registering an emphatic 19–0 win against hosts Senegal.
Although they suffered a 17–5 defeat to Australia in their final pool match, the Kenyan side bounced back strongly to defeat Madagascar 15–5 in the semi-finals.
Evarlyne Afande and Mitchel Mmboga, who scored twice, played key roles in the semi-final victory.
Their subsequent triumph over Australia in the final completed a remarkable turnaround and secured Kenya the women’s rugby sevens title.
A landmark moment for Kenyan sport
The achievement carries added significance as Dakar 2026 marks the first time the Youth Olympic Games have been hosted on African soil.
The Rising Lionesses’ triumph highlights the growing strength of women’s rugby in Kenya and the potential of the country’s emerging sporting talent.
Their historic achievement is expected to inspire more young girls to take up rugby and pursue opportunities in competitive sport.
For Kenya, the victory represents more than just a gold medal. It is a statement of the country’s growing ambitions in women’s rugby and the promise of a new generation of athletes.
The Rising Lionesses have delivered a performance to remember, bringing pride to the country and writing a new chapter in Kenya’s sporting history.
