Zain Hido, Diana Wanjiku, Mitchelle Chemutai, Michael Mmboga, Josephine Kerubo, Evalyne Barongo, Shaheen Sada, Joy Wanja, Bridgit Lihanda, Elizabeth Naliaka, Scovia Achieng, Christie Kamotho and Cynthia Kemunto.
These are the names that will forever be etched in sporting history books, as they became the first ever Kenyan team not just to medal, but claim gold at an Olympics stage.
They defeated Australia 17–12 in a dramatic sudden-death final to capture the women’s rugby sevens gold medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Playing in Dakar, the Kenyan youngsters demonstrated extraordinary resilience to overcome an Australian team that had previously beaten them 17–5 during the pool stage.
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How Kenya beat Australia
The gold-medal match was fiercely contested from the start. Australia struck first, opening the scoring before Kenya answered through captain Zain Hido, leveling the score at 5–5 by half-time.
Australia regained the lead shortly after the break with a converted try to move ahead 12–5. Refusing to back down, Josephine Kerubo crossed the try line for Kenya, while Co-Captain Diana Wanjiku drilled the conversion to equalize at 12–12, forcing the clash into extra time.
Kenya delivered the decisive blow in extra time, breaking through to score the winning try and securing a historic 17–12 victory.
An Impressive Campaign
Kenya’s path to Olympic gold was defined by grit, discipline, and steady growth throughout the tournament:
In the semi-finals against Madagascar, Evarlyne Afande and Mitchel Mmboga (who scored twice) were instrumental in carrying the team into the gold medal match, setting up their thrilling revenge victory over Australia.
A Landmark Moment for Kenyan Sport
This achievement carries immense national and continental significance:
“The victory marks Kenya’s first gold medal at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games and a major turning point for the national women’s rugby programme.
As the first Youth Olympic Games held on African soil, Dakar provided the perfect stage for Kenya’s rising stars to shine. Their historic performance is also expected to inspire thousands of young girls across the country to pursue competitive sports.
