• In May, he finished sixth in Kobe with a personal best of 5.73 meters.
• Ojuka edged out Brazil’s Cardo Evangelista on countback, both having posted the same distance of 6.20 meters.
Image: HANDOUT
Samson Ojuka rekindled Kenyans' hopes at the 2024 Paris Paralympics after claiming a silver medal in the men’s long jump in a new African record at Stade de France on Tuesday evening.
Ojuka, a final-year law student at Kenyatta University, leapt 6.20m on his fourth attempt to secure Kenya’s first medal at the Games.
He bettered the previous mark of 6.05m by South Africa’s Andrea Dalle Ave in 2015.
His silver is Kenya’s first field event medal since Mary Nakhumicha’s silver in the javelin at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
“I am simply over the moon…I want to dedicate this to all those who have supported me and the millions of Kenyans who watched especially my family,” said an emotional Ojuka.
Ojuka's star started to shine in May when he struck a personal best of 5.73m to finish sixth at the World Championships in Kobe, Japan.
He improved his best to 5.83m and 5.88m with his second and third jumps in Paris, before cementing the silver in his fourth attempt. He beat Brazil's Cardo Evangelista on countback in a competition won by Argentina’s Brian Lionel.
“Since Kobe, I have been working with my coach on my technique execution on the runway, how I step on the board, flight and landing,” said Ojuka.
He is coached by Henry Nzungi, a veteran of the London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Nzungi said they focused on strength and conditioning in Nairobi before shifting to technique during their pre-Games camp in Compiegne, France.
The silver medal is a relief for the Paralympics debutant, who has been to three World Championships— Dubai 2019, Paris 2023 and Kobe 2024 —without securing a medal.
“We had not won a medal from track and field and I was the only one remaining to salvage some pride. I am happy that I managed to carry the national flag higher here in Paris,” said Ojuka, who was born with a deformed right hand (Erbs Palsy).
He hopes to inspire powerlifter Hellen Wawira and cyclist Kennedy Ogada.
Wawira competes in the women’s under-41kg final at 2:35 pm (CAT), while Ogada, guided by Oscar Dennis, will participate in time trials at 2:30 p.m.