Kenya to host inaugural East Africa Amateur Wrestling Championships

Amateur wrestling action duirng a past event.[Courtesy]

Kenya is set to host the inaugural East Africa Amateur Wrestling Championships this weekend, from July 6-7, 2024, at the Sports View Hotel, Kasarani, and Strathmore University in Nairobi.

Kenya Armature Wrestling Association (KAWA) Secretary General Erick Walucho stated that six countries will compete for regional supremacy in freestyle wrestling on Saturday and beach wrestling on Sunday.

"One hundred fifty wrestlers from six countries are here already, training for this weekend's showdown," said Walucho.

 "We will have freestyle wrestling at Sports View Hotel on Saturday and beach wrestling at Strathmore University on Sunday. Our young ones will also compete in the under 15, 17, and 20-year-old categories, and then we will have the seniors as well."

The regional event will be graced by Vincent Aka, United World Wrestling (UWW) Development Officer in charge of Africa.

"Kenya is a beautiful place with amazing athletes in wrestling," said Aka.

"This event sends a statement to the rest of Africa as we all yearn to develop wrestling and vie for gold medals in international competitions such as the Olympics."

Kenya will compete against neighbors Uganda and Tanzania, while Burundi, Mauritius, and Sudan are also seeking regional top honors in amateur wrestling.

KAWA confirmed that notable continental stars will participate, including Uganda's Harriet Akite, who won a gold medal during the second edition of the National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOCK) beach games held at Buntwani Beach, Malindi, in February this year.

Other prominent names include African champion Kanapetradu Vihanshy Simran from Mauritius and African silver medalist Niyonkuru Gloria Lynca from Burundi.

KAWA has appointed Linus Masheti as the new Technical Director of both the men's and women's national teams.

The veteran coach promised that the final squads representing Kenya in all categories would be named on Wednesday