Kenya at the 2020 Summer Olympics
# Kenya at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Kenya competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, the Games were postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the nation's fifteenth appearance at the Summer Olympics since its debut in 1956, having boycotted the 1976 Montreal and 1980 Moscow Games.

Kenya's medal tally was slightly down from 6 gold and 13 total medals in 2016, but it still won far more medals than any other African nation.

## Medalists

| Medal | Name | Sport | Event | Date |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| Gold | Emmanuel Korir | Athletics | Men's 800 metres | August 4 |
| Gold | Faith Kipyegon | Athletics | Women's 1500 metres | August 6 |
| Gold | Peres Jepchirchir | Athletics | Women's marathon | August 7 |
| Gold | Eliud Kipchoge | Athletics | Men's marathon | August 8 |
| Silver | Hellen Obiri | Athletics | Women's 5000 metres | August 2 |
| Silver | Ferguson Rotich | Athletics | Men's 800 metres | August 4 |
| Silver | Brigid Kosgei | Athletics | Women's marathon | August 7 |
| Silver | Timothy Cheruiyot | Athletics | Men's 1500 metres | August 7 |
| Bronze | Benjamin Kigen | Athletics | Men's 3000 metres steeplechase | August 2 |
| Bronze | Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi | Athletics | Women's 3000 metres steeplechase | August 4 |

## Competitors

The following is the list of number of competitors in the Games.

| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
| - | - | - | - |
| Athletics | 22 | 18 | 40 |
| Beach volleyball | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Boxing | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Rugby sevens | 13 | 13 | 26 |
| Swimming | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Taekwondo | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Volleyball | 0 | 12 | 12 |
| Total | 38 | 49 | 87 |

## Athletics

Kenyan athletes further achieved the entry standards, either by qualifying time or by world ranking, in the following track and field events (up to a maximum of 3 athletes in each event):

Six marathon runners (three per gender) were named to the Kenyan team on January 31, 2020, with defending champions Eliud Kipchoge and Vivian Cheruiyot racing at their fourth and fifth Olympics, respectively. The rest of the track and field team was officially announced on June 19, 2021, including Rio 2016 medalists Hellen Obiri (women's 10000 m), Julius Yego (men's javelin throw), and the reigning middle-distance champion Faith Kipyegon.

### Key

* Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
* Q = Qualified for the next round
* q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
* NR = National record
* N/A = Round not applicable for the event
* Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round

### Men

| Athlete | Event | Heat | Heat | Quarterfinal | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Semifinal | Final | Final |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Athlete | Event | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Result | Rank |
| Mark Odhiambo | 100 m | Bye | Bye | DNS | DNS | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Ferdinand Omurwa | 100 m | Bye | Bye | 10.01 NR | 3 Q | 10.00 NR | 3 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Emmanuel Korir | 400 m | DSQ | DSQ | — | — | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Emmanuel Korir | 800 m | 1:45.33 | 1 Q | — | — | 1:44.74 | 2 Q | 1:45.06 | |
| Ferguson Rotich | 800 m | 1:43.75 | 1 Q | — | — | 1:44.04 | 1 Q | 1:45.23 | |
| Michael Saruni | 800 m | 1:45.21 | 2 Q | — | — | 1:44.55 SB | 8 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Timothy Cheruiyot | 1500 m | 3:36.01 | 2 Q | — | — | 3:33.95 | 3 Q | 3:29.01 | |
| Abel Kipsang | 1500 m | 3:40.68 | 1 Q | — | — | 3:31.65 OR | 1 Q | 3:29.56 PB | 4 |
| Charles Simotwo | 1500 m | 3:37.26 | 10 q | — | — | 3:34.61 | 6 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Daniel Ebenyo | 5000 m | 13:41.64 | 10 | — | — | — | — | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Nicholas Kimeli | 5000 m | 13:38.87 | 1 Q | — | — | — | — | 12:59.17 SB | 4 |
| Samwel Masai | 5000 m | DNS | DNS | — | — | — | — | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Rhonex Kipruto | 10000 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27:52.78 | 9 |
| Rodgers Kwemoi | 10000 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27:50.06 | 7 |
| Weldon Kipkurui Langat | 10000 m | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28:41.42 | 20 |
| Leonard Bett | 3000 m steeplechase | 8:19:62 | 5 | — | — | — | — | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Abraham Kibiwott | 3000 m steeplechase | 8:12.25 | 1 Q | — | — | — | — | 8:19.41 | 10 |
| Benjamin Kigen | 3000 m steeplechase | 8:10.80 SB | 3 Q | — | — | — | — | 8:11.45 | |
| Lawrence Cherono | Marathon | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2:10:02 | 4 |
| Eliud Kipchoge | Marathon | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2:08:38 | |
| Amos Kipruto | Marathon | — | — | — | — | — | — | DNF | DNF |

### Women

| Athlete | Event | Heat | Heat | Semifinal | Semifinal | Final | Final |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Athlete | Event | Result | Rank | Result | Rank | Result | Rank |
| Hellen Syombua | 400 m | 52.70 | 5 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Mary Moraa | 800 m | 2:01.66 | 3 Q | 2:00.47 | 3 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Eunice Sum | 800 m | 2:03.00 | 6 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Emily Cherotich Tuei | 800 m | 2:08.08 PB | 8 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Winnie Chebet | 1500 m | 4:03.93 | 10 Q | 4:11.62 | 13 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Edinah Jebitok | 1500 m | 4:10.72 | 36 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Faith Kipyegon | 1500 m | 4:01.40 | 1 Q | 3:56.80 | 1 Q | 3:53.11 OR | |
| Hellen Obiri | 5000 m | 14:55.77 | 2 Q | — | — | 14:38.36 | |
| Lilian Kasait Rengeruk | 5000 m | 14:50.36 SB | 5 Q | — | — | 14:55.85 | 12 |
| Agnes Jebet Tirop | 5000 m | 14:48.01 SB | 2 Q | — | — | 14:39.62 SB | 4 |
| Sheila Chelangat | 10000 m | — | — | — | — | 31:48.23 | 16 |
| Irene Chepet Cheptai | 10000 m | — | — | — | — | 30:44.00 PB' | 6 |
| Hellen Obiri | 10000 m | — | — | — | — | 30:24.27 PB | 4 |
| Beatrice Chepkoech | 3000 m steeplechase | 9:19.82 | 3 Q | — | — | 9:16.33 | 7 |
| Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi | 3000 m steeplechase | 9:23.17 | 1 Q | — | — | 9:05.39 | |
| Purity Cherotich Kirui | 3000 m steeplechase | 9:30.13 | 5 | — | — | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Ruth Chepngetich | Marathon | — | — | — | — | DNF | DNF |
| Peres Jepchirchir | Marathon | — | — | — | — | 2:27:20 SB | |
| Brigid Kosgei | Marathon | — | — | — | — | 2:27:36 SB | |

### Field events

| Athlete | Event | Qualification | Qualification | Final | Final |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Athlete | Event | Distance | Position | Distance | Position |
| Mathew Sawe | Men's high jump | 2.17 | =30 | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Julius Yego | Men's javelin throw | 77.34 SB | 24 | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Boxing

Kenya entered four boxers (two per gender) into the Olympic tournament. Rio 2016 Olympian Nick Okoth (men's featherweight) and rookie Christine Ongare (women's flyweight) secured places in their respective weight divisions, with the former advancing to the final match and the latter scoring a box-off victory at the 2020 African Qualification Tournament in Diamniadio, Senegal. Elly Ajowi Ochola (men's heavyweight) and Elizabeth Akinyi (women's welterweight) completed the nation's boxing lineup by topping the list of eligible boxers from Africa in their respective weight divisions of the IOC's Boxing Task Force Rankings.

| Athlete | Event | Round of 32 | Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | Final |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Athlete | Event | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Rank |
| Nick Okoth | Men's featherweight | Erdenebatyn (MGL) L 2–3 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Elly Ajowi Ochola | Men's heavyweight | Bye | La Cruz (CUB) L 0–5 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Christine Ongare | Women's flyweight | Magno (PHI) L 0–5 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Elizabeth Akinyi | Women's welterweight | Bye | Panguana (MOZ) L RSC | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Rugby sevens

### Summary

| Team | Event | Group stage | Group stage | Group stage | Group stage | Quarterfinal/Classification | Semifinal/Classification | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Team | Event | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Rank | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Rank |
| Kenya men's | Men's tournament | United States L 14–19 | South Africa L 5–14 | Ireland L 7–12 | 4 | — | Japan W 21–7 | Ireland W 22–0 | 9 |
| Kenya women's | Women's tournament | New Zealand L 7–29 | ROC L 12–35 | Great Britain L 0–31 | 4 | — | Japan W 21–17 | Canada L 10–24 | 10 |

### Men's tournament

Kenya national rugby sevens team qualified for the Games by securing a lone outright berth with a gold-medal victory at the 2019 Africa Men's Sevens in Johannesburg, South Africa.

**Team roster**

Kenya's 12-man squad plus one alternate was named on 6 July 2021.

Head coach: Innocent Simiyu

| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Events | Points |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | BK | Daniel Taabu | (1996-01-19)19 January 1996 (aged 25) | 15 | 216 |
| 2 | FW | Herman Humwa | (1995-11-08)8 November 1995 (aged 25) | 12 | 10 |
| 3 | FW | Alvin Otieno | (1994-04-19)19 April 1994 (aged 27) | 10 | 55 |
| 4 | FW | Vincent Onyala | (1996-12-10)10 December 1996 (aged 24) | 15 | 177 |
| 5 | BK | Billy Odhiambo | (1994-06-26)26 June 1994 (aged 27) | 48 | 440 |
| 6 | BK | Jeff Oluoch | (1995-04-02)2 April 1995 (aged 26) | 22 | 160 |
| 7 | BK | Eden Agero | (1990-09-17)17 September 1990 (aged 30) | 32 | 273 |
| 8 | FW | Andrew Amonde (c) | (1983-12-25)25 December 1983 (aged 37) | 76 | 320 |
| 9 | BK | Nelson Oyoo | (1994-06-26)26 June 1994 (aged 27) | 36 | 230 |
| 11 | BK | Collins Injera (c) | (1986-10-18)18 October 1986 (aged 34) | 83 | 1,443 |
| 10 | BK | Johnstone Olindi | (1999-11-04)4 November 1999 (aged 21) | 13 | 132 |
| 12 | FW | Willy Ambaka | (1990-05-14)14 May 1990 (aged 31) | 51 | 615 |
| 13 | BK | Jacob Ojee | (1991-03-07)7 March 1991 (aged 30) | 12 | 65 |

**Group play**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | South Africa | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 31 | +33 | 9 | Quarter-finals |
| 2 | United States | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 50 | 48 | +2 | 7 | Quarter-finals |
| 3 | Ireland | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 43 | 59 | −16 | 5 | |
| 4 | Kenya | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 45 | −19 | 3 | |

* 26 July 2021 (2021-07-26) 11:30

| United States | 19–14 | Kenya |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Isles 2' m Iosefo 4' c Hughes 13' c Con: Hughes (1/2) 5' Tomasin (1/1) 14' | (Tokyo 2020) | Try: Injera 6' c Oluoch 9' c Con: Agero (2/2) 7', 10' |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo Attendance: 0 Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
* 26 July 2021 (2021-07-26) 19:00

| South Africa | 14–5 | Kenya |
| - | - | - |
| Try: S. Davids 2' c Soyizwapi 3' c Con: du Preez (2/2) 2', 4' | (Tokyo 2020) | Try: Injera 6' m Con: Agero (0/1) |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo Attendance: 0 Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
* 27 July 2021 (2021-07-27) 11:00

| Kenya | 7–12 | Ireland |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Onyala 13' c Con: Taabu (1/1) 13' | (Tokyo 2020) | Try: Lennox 1' m McNulty 2' c Con: Dardis (1/2) 2' |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo Attendance: 0 Referee: Jordan Way (Australia)
* 27 July 2021 (2021-07-27) 17:00

| Kenya | 21–7 | Japan |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Otieno 3' c Oluoch 5' c Amonde 12' c Con: Olindi (3/3) 4', 5', 12' | (Tokyo 2020) | Try: Matsui 1' c Con: Kano (1/1) 2' |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo Attendance: 0 Referee: Damián Schneider (Argentina)
* 28 July 2021 (2021-07-28) 9:30

| Ireland | 0–22 | Kenya |
| - | - | - |
| | (Tokyo 2020) | Try: Olindi 5' c Ojee 10' m Ambaka 12' m Taabu 14' m Con: Olindi (1/1) 5' Taabu (0/2) Amonde (0/1) |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo Attendance: 0 Referee: Damián Schneider (Argentina)

### Women's tournament

Kenya women's national rugby sevens team qualified for the Games by winning the silver medal and securing a lone outright berth at the 2019 Africa Women's Sevens in Jemmal, Tunisia, as the winners South Africa decided not to accept the berth under SASCOC's rules pertaining to continental qualification route.

**Team roster**

Kenya's roster of 13 athletes was named on 5 July 2021. Additionally, Enid Ouma was named as a non-travelling reserve athlete.

Head coach: Felix Oloo

* Grace Adhiambo
* Vivian Okwach
* Camilla Atieno
* Judith Okumu
* Sinaida Omondi
* Diana Ochieng
* Sheila Chajira
* Christabel Lindo
* Janet Okelo
* Philadelphia Olando (c)
* Sarah Ndunde
* Stellah Wafula
* Leah Wambui

**Group play**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts | Qualification |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 88 | 28 | +60 | 9 | Quarter-finals |
| 2 | Great Britain | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 66 | 38 | +28 | 7 | Quarter-finals |
| 3 | ROC | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 47 | 59 | −12 | 5 | Quarter-finals |
| 4 | Kenya | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 19 | 95 | −76 | 3 | |

* 29 July 2021 (2021-07-29) 11:30

| New Zealand | 29–7 | Kenya |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Fluhler 1' m Blyde (2) 3' c, 9' c Woodman 5' m Broughton 11' m Con: Nathan-Wong (2/5) 3', 9' | (Tokyo 2020) | Try: Lindo 7' +1 c Con: Okulu (1/1) 7' +1 |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
* 29 July 2021 (2021-07-29) 19:00

| ROC | 35–12 | Kenya |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Sozonova 2' c Seredina 4' c Shestakova 8' c Tiron 9' c Kukina 13' c Con: Seredina (4/4) 2', 4', 8', 9' Lushina (1/1) 14' | (Tokyo 2020) | Try: Okelo (2) 5' c, 8' m Con: Ndunde (1/2) 5' |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
* 30 July 2021 (2021-07-30) 11:00

| Great Britain | 31–0 | Kenya |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Joyce (2) 1' c, 6' m Burton 3' m Jones 9' c Thomson 14' c Con: Hunt (1/3) 2' Rowland (1/1) 9' Aitchison (1/1) 14' | (Tokyo 2020) | |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
* 30 July 2021 (2021-07-30) 17:00

| Kenya | 21–17 | Japan |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Okulu 3' c Omondi 7' c Atieno 14' +1 c Con: Okulu (3/3) 3', 8', 14' +1 | (Tokyo 2020) | Try: Hara 1' m Koide 8' m Kajiki 10' c Con: Yamanaka (1/3) 10' |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
* 31 July 2021 (2021-07-31) 9:30

| Canada | 24–10 | Kenya |
| - | - | - |
| Try: Williams 1' c Farella 3' m, 8' m Landry 10' c Con: Landry (2/3) 1', 10' Nicholas (0/1) | (Tokyo 2020) | Try: Okello 5' m Ochieng 13' m Con: Okulu (0/2) |

* Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo

## Swimming

Kenya received a universality invitation from FINA to send two top-ranked swimmers (one per gender) in their respective individual events to the Olympics, based on the FINA Points System of June 28, 2021.

| Athlete | Event | Heat | Heat | Semifinal | Semifinal | Final | Final |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Athlete | Event | Time | Rank | Time | Rank | Time | Rank |
| Danilo Rosafio | Men's 100 m freestyle | 52.54 | 56 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |
| Emily Muteti | Women's 50 m freestyle | 26.31 | 43 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

## Taekwondo

Kenya entered one athlete into the taekwondo competition at the Games for the first time since Beijing 2008. Faith Ogallo secured a spot in the women's heavyweight category (+67 kg) with a top two finish at the 2020 African Qualification Tournament in Rabat, Morocco.

| Athlete | Event | Round of 16 | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Repechage | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Athlete | Event | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Opposition Result | Rank |
| Faith Ogallo | Women's +67 kg | Mandić (SRB) L 0–13 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Kowalczuk (POL) L 7–15 | Did not advance | 7 |

## Volleyball

### Beach

Kenya women's beach volleyball team qualified directly for the Olympics by winning the gold medal at the 2018–2020 CAVB Continental Cup Final in Agadir, Morocco.

| Athlete | Event | Preliminary round | Preliminary round | Preliminary round | Preliminary round | Repechage | Round of 16 | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Athlete | Event | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Rank | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Rank |
| Gaudencia Makokha Brackcides Khadambi | Women's | Ana Patrícia / Rebecca (BRA) L (15–21, 9–21) | Claes / Sponcil (USA) L (8–21, 6–21) | Kravčenoka / Graudiņa (LAT) L (6–21, 14–21) | 4 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

### Indoor

**Summary**

| Team | Event | Group stage | Group stage | Group stage | Group stage | Group stage | Group stage | Quarterfinal | Semifinal | Final / BM | Final / BM |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Team | Event | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Rank | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Opposition Score | Rank |
| Kenya women's | Women's tournament | Japan L 0–3 | South Korea L 0–3 | Serbia L 0–3 | Dominican Republic L 0–3 | Brazil L 0–3 | 6 | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance | Did not advance |

**Women's tournament**

Kenya women's volleyball team qualified for the Olympics by winning the pool round with three match points and securing an outright berth at the African Olympic Qualification Tournament in Yaoundé, Cameroon, marking the nation's recurrence to the sport for the first time since Athens 2004.

**Women's tournament**

**Team roster**

The roster was announced on 26 June 2021.

Head coach: Luizomar de Moura

* 1 Jane Wacu S
* 4 Leonida Kasaya OH
* 5 Sharon Chepchumba OP
* 8 Joy Lusenaka S
* 10 Noel Murambi OH
* 12 Gladys Ekaru MB
* 13 Lorine Chebet MB
* 14 Mercy Moim (c) OH
* 15 Pamela Jepkirui OH
* 16 Agripina Kundu L
* 18 Emmaculate Chemtai OP
* 19 Edith Mukuvilani MB

**Women's tournament**

**Group play**

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | L | Pts | SW | SL | SR | SPW | SPL | SPR | Qualification |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Brazil | 5 | 5 | 0 | 14 | 15 | 3 | 5.000 | 434 | 315 | 1.378 | Quarter-finals |
| 2 | Serbia | 5 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 13 | 3 | 4.333 | 381 | 313 | 1.217 | Quarter-finals |
| 3 | South Korea | 5 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 0.900 | 374 | 415 | 0.901 | Quarter-finals |
| 4 | Dominican Republic | 5 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 1.000 | 411 | 406 | 1.012 | Quarter-finals |
| 5 | Japan (H) | 5 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 0.500 | 378 | 395 | 0.957 | |
| 6 | Kenya | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0.000 | 242 | 376 | 0.644 | |
