Kenya’s amateur wrestling team delivered another dominant performance at the second edition of the Regional Development Tournament (REDT) East Africa Amateur Wrestling Championships, further cementing their status as the region’s powerhouse.
The two-day competition in Nairobi brought together male and female wrestlers across junior and senior levels, with Kenya displaying skill, grit, and determination both on the mat and in the sand.
At Kenyatta University, where freestyle wrestling took centre stage, the hosts captured 12 gold and four silver medals. The action then shifted to Strathmore University for the beach wrestling segment, where Kenya added five gold, eight silver, and six bronze medals to top the overall standings. Burundi claimed second place, Mauritius finished third, and Uganda settled for fourth.
One of the standout aspects of the event was the performance of Kenya’s younger athletes. Several competitors aged just 14 and 15 showcased impressive technical mastery, winning medals and raising hopes for qualification to the 2026 Dakar Youth Olympic Games. Coaches expressed pride in their ability to absorb techniques and apply them under pressure, seeing them as a promising generation that could propel Kenya onto the global wrestling stage.
The championships also served as trials for the upcoming Africa Beach Wrestling competition, scheduled for September 4–5 in Casablanca, Morocco. Teams were selected in the U-15, U-17, and U-20 categories, ensuring Kenya will be well-represented in multiple divisions.
Beyond the athletes, East Africa has been investing in building a strong technical foundation for the sport. In the lead-up to the championships, a two-day United World Wrestling (UWW) training workshop brought together 29 officials 18 coaches and 11 referees from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Mauritius. The program focused on raising officiating and coaching standards, with participants earning Level 1 and Level 2 UWW certifications. This initiative is expected to improve competition quality and enhance athlete development across the region.
Retaining their East Africa title for the second consecutive year, Kenya now shifts focus to the September Africa Beach Wrestling tournament and the long-term goal of preparing the U-15 squad for Dakar 2026. With rising young talent, improved coaching capacity, and strong regional competition experience, Kenya is positioning itself as a serious contender for medals at the Youth Olympics and beyond.
