Kenya's AirBadminton national team has made a remarkable debut at the Africa AirBadminton Championships, winning a gold medal in the women's triples and a bronze medal in the men's doubles. The championships were held at Aero Beach in Entebbe, Uganda. National team coach Brijesh Sonigra praised his charges for their outstanding achievement, highlighting the team's potential and talent.
The Kenyan team, led by captain Jacinta Sengera, Blessings Vuyanzi, and Yvonne Mwikali, dominated the women's triples category, beating Benin 3-1 and Uganda 3-1 in the semi-finals to book a place in the final against Egypt. In a thrilling contest, Sengera, Vuyanzi, and Mwikali secured a 3-0 victory, winning all three sets to claim Kenya's maiden gold medal at the continental AirBadminton championships.
In the men's doubles, Sammy Sikoyo and Edwin Akwanyi teamed up to beat hosts Uganda 3-2 in the round of 32, before defeating Tunisia 3-0 in the round of 16 and Benin 3-1 in the quarter-finals. The Kenyan pair lost 3-2 to eventual champions Egypt in the semi-finals, settling for a bronze medal after the Badminton Confederation of Africa awarded two teams third-place medals.
Kenya began its campaign in the mixed doubles round of 32, with Akwanyi and Mwikali winning 3-1 against Burundi, while Sikoyo and Vuyanzi lost 3-1 against Uganda. Sengera and Simiyu also won 3-1 against Algeria. However, only two pairs made it to the round of 16, with Akwanyi and Mwikali losing 3-0 against Burundi.
Coach Brijesh Sonigra expressed his pride in the team's achievement, saying, "It's the first time we are playing in AirBadminton, but see what they have achieved. There is so much talent back in Kenya. We now have a huge task ahead to see what else do we have, then nurture them in the right way. Soon, the African crown will be ours to dominate."
The Kenya team's success in the women's triples category was a significant milestone, marking the country's first gold medal at the continental AirBadminton championships. The team's victory was a testament to their hard work and dedication, and coach Sonigra's guidance played a crucial role in their success.
The Africa AirBadminton Championships provided a valuable platform for Kenyan players to showcase their skills and compete against top teams from across the continent. With this impressive debut, Kenya is poised to make a strong impact in future AirBadminton competitions, and the team's achievement will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of players.
Key points
- Kenya wins gold in women's triples and bronze in men's doubles at Africa AirBadminton Championships.
- Coach Brijesh Sonigra praises team's achievement, highlighting talent and potential.
- Kenya's victory marks country's first gold medal at continental AirBadminton championships.
