Kenya Sevens co-captain Tony Onyango says the pain of missing out on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 motivated him to play in Paris 2024 later this month.
The Mwamba player, who was in the training squad then, revealed missing out on the delayed 2020 Tokyo Games had devastated him emotionally.
“I was very sad missing out on the Tokyo Games as an athlete. We all know the Olympics is the pinnacle of sports and means a lot to the athlete. However, I am happy I managed to pick myself up and for the last two years, I have worked hard with the support of my family and the team," said Onyang
Onyango said his leadership role in the team has enabled him to elevate his game since head coach Kevin Wambua appointed him alongside Vincent Onyala as co-captain last year.
“I'm not the same player I was in 2020 or 2021. The competition in the training squad is intense and I have had to raise my game to be a better ball carrier and decision-maker at crucial moments. This has been vital to my game,” he observed.
Onyango said the victories in the Africa Cup Sevens in Zimbabwe last year and qualification to the World Seven Series in Madrid will hold them in good stead at the Paris Olympics. Shujaa will come up against Argentina, Australia and Samoa in Pool B.
"It's been a tough journey for us but we have learnt some tough lessons along the way with the young squad. We have nothing to fear if we play our brand of rugby. For us, it's one game at a time as we wait to see what next," said Onyango.
Shujaa depart today to Miramas for a 10-day camp and Onyango believes the camp in the South of France will put them in a good position for the Olympics.
"We trained in Miramas before the promotion-cum-relegation tourney in Madrid last month. It's a very good facility and it will be ideal to block out the noise and keep us in the right frame of mind ahead of the Olympics,” he noted.
Strength and conditioning coach and two-time Olympian, Andrew Amonde, said the preparations for the Olympics this year are much better than the Tokyo Games.
“ Remember in 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic was still around and there were a couple of things which did not go right. This time around, we have settled in the camp and the boys are in good shape, well-conditioned and mentally and physically strong."
