Kenya’s Rising Lionesses secured rugby sevens gold at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Mitchelle Chemtai scored the sudden-death winner as Kenya defeated Australia 17-12 in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic rugby sevens final.
The Rising Lionesses claimed Kenya’s first Olympic gold medal in a team sport after beating Australia 17-12. Mitchelle Chemtai scored the decisive try in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games rugby sevens final.
The match at Stade Iba Mar Diop in Dakar, Senegal, went into sudden-death extra time at 12-12. Kenya had recovered from a 12-5 second-half deficit to keep their gold medal hopes alive.
Josephine Kerubo scored the comeback try, while Diana Wanjiku added the conversion to draw Kenya level. Chemtai then broke through Australia’s defence in extra time to settle the contest.
Rising Lionesses turn recovery into gold
Captain Zain Mohamed said the players committed themselves to winning after forcing the match into sudden death. Gold had been their target throughout training camp, and they refused to abandon that ambition.
Mohamed said Kenya had drawn level by half-time but then allowed Australia to regain the lead. However, the players responded to that setback and fought their way back into the final.
Coach Knight Otuoma credited the victory to strong preparation and encouraged her players to enjoy the occasion. She also said the result demonstrated Kenya’s rugby depth and pointed to a promising future.
The victory reversed Kenya’s earlier defeat to Australia in the group stage. Otuoma explained that she had rested four key players for that encounter, making changes with the semi-finals in mind.
Kenya’s route to the final
Kenya began their campaign with a 12-5 victory over China before beating hosts Senegal 19-0. However, Australia ended that winning start with a 17-5 result in their Group A meeting.
That defeat left Kenya second in the group and set up a semi-final against Group B winners Madagascar. The Kenyan side then won 15-5 to earn another opportunity against Australia.
Australia, meanwhile, reached the final by defeating Czechia 19-10 in the other semi-final. Madagascar later secured bronze with victory over Czechia in the third-place play-off.
Kenya’s squad comprised students who have dominated their East African opponents since rugby entered the regional school games. Their success in Dakar added a team-sport Olympic milestone to a country long celebrated for its athletics achievements.
