Abigael Chepkirui won women’s 1500m silver at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Abigael Chepkirui takes 1500m silver while 15-year-old Aliyah Makena becomes Kenya’s second fencer to compete at an Olympic event.
Abigael Chepkirui won women’s 1500m silver at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games as Aliyah Makena achieved a Kenyan fencing milestone. Makena, 15, became only the second Kenyan fencer to compete at an Olympic event, following Alexandria Ndolo.
Chepkirui clocked 4:29.86 at the Complex Iba Mar Diop Stadium. Meanwhile, Makena finished 13th in the women’s individual epee competition at the Dakar Expo Centre.
Chepkirui takes Dakar 2026 silver
Chepkirui, who represents Lemotit Athletics Club, stayed with the leading pack through the first three laps. Despite the intense heat, she remained in contention until Ethiopia’s Elisabet Amare accelerated on the final curve.
Amare secured gold in 4:28.02, while Chepkirui crossed the line second. Eritrea’s Kanari Estifanos completed an all-African podium, taking bronze in 4:31.10.
Although Chepkirui had targeted gold, she expressed delight at returning with a silver medal. She also viewed the result as motivation to strengthen her preparations for future competitions.
Chepkirui said she would work harder in training once she returned home, aiming to improve at her next event.
Makena’s milestone highlights fencing needs
Meanwhile, Makena competed against experienced international opponents less than two years after taking up fencing. Her campaign opened with a 5-1 defeat to Estonia’s Aleksandra Nikolajeva.
She then lost 5-0 to Hungary’s Lotti Horvath and 5-2 to South Africa’s Nikita Venturas. Ivory Coast’s Marie Kouassi beat her 5-3, while Ukraine’s Francesca Aina won their encounter 5-0. Makena also lost 5-3 to Peru’s Astrid Bravo.
Despite those setbacks, she reached the direct-elimination round of 16 and finished 13th overall. Makena described the group stage as challenging because most opponents were unfamiliar, and some used techniques she had not anticipated.
However, she welcomed the chance to compete at that level and contribute to Kenya’s fencing history. She said her participation helped demonstrate that Kenya has emerging fencers alongside its senior competitors.
Her coach, Georgina Mukami, also called for technical support, regular international competition and basic infrastructure, including an aluminium piste. Mukami identified consistency as a key lesson from the competition.
She said Kenyan fencers need more competitive experience so they arrive ready to perform rather than spend events adjusting.
