Team Kenya win first medals at African Youth Games

Team Kenya opened its medal account with two bronze at the 2025 African Youth Games on the first day of the championship that got underway on Thursday in Luanda, Angola.

The national karate team stepped onto the mats with determination and delivered with the Carter team clinching the first bronze medal of the Games for Kenya, setting the tone for the country’s campaign.

Moments later, Margaret Nyevu added to the tally, bagging a second bronze medal after a hard-fought contest in her category of Individual Carter.

“I’m happy to have helped Kenya win bronze in my category and despite the short period in camp we’ve managed to get to the podium. This is good preparation for next year’s Youth Olympics and I know we will field a strong team,” said Nyevu.

The double podium finish gives Kenya an encouraging boost at the multi-sport event that is serving as part of the qualification pathway for the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.

Kenya however started on the wrong footing in table tennis after the boys’ side lost 3-2 to Eritrea in a closely contested match.

The ladies’ team faced an even sterner challenge, going down in straight sets to a dominant Nigerian side.

Despite the mixed results, spirits remain high in the Kenyan camp with coaches saying the athletes are focused and eager to bounce back as more events unfold.

Team Manager James Akama praised Kenyan youngsters for settling easily despite jetting in just hours before the championship kicked off.

“The youngsters are showing determination and I know we will harvest a good number of medals. The target is to have a strong side ahead of the Youth Games.”

 The event runs until December 20 and it's the first time a Portuguese-speaking nation stages the Games.