Kenya’s Rising Lionesses have returned home to a heroes’ welcome after winning the women’s rugby sevens gold medal at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
The under-18 team defeated tournament favourites Australia 17-12 in a dramatic sudden-death final. Their victory marked a historic achievement for African rugby.
Kenya became the first African nation to win an Olympic rugby sevens gold medal at any tier. Fans, sports officials and Kenya Rugby Union representatives gathered in Nairobi to celebrate the young champions.
Rising Lionesses Overcome Pool-Stage Setback
The Lionesses began their campaign with impressive performances in the pool stage. They defeated China 12-5 before recording a commanding 19-0 victory against hosts Senegal.
However, Australia handed Kenya a 17-5 defeat in their final pool match. The team responded strongly in the semi-finals, beating continental rivals Madagascar 15-5. The result secured their place in the final against Australia.
Kenya Beat Australia in Dramatic Gold-Medal Final
The final at Complexe Iba Mar Diop in Dakar delivered a tense contest. Australia opened the scoring with an early try. Kenya captain Zain Hido responded to level the score at 5-5 by halftime.
Australia later moved ahead 12-5, putting Kenya under pressure. However, the Lionesses refused to surrender. Josephine Kerubo scored after Australia received a yellow card, giving Kenya an opportunity to fight back. Diana Wanjiku converted the try to level the match at 12-12 and force extra time.
The decisive moment came 87 seconds into sudden death. Mitchelle Chemtai broke through Australia’s defence and scored the winning try. Her effort sealed Kenya’s 17-12 victory and sparked celebrations among the players and supporters.
Rising Lionesses Receive Heroes’ Welcome in Nairobi
The team received a warm reception after arriving back in Kenya. Director of Sports Douglas Ratemo joined fans and Kenya Rugby Union representatives in welcoming the champions.
The Ministry of Sports also confirmed that the players would receive financial rewards under the government’s enhanced athlete reward scheme. The announcement recognised the significance of their achievement and the effort behind their historic campaign.
A Landmark Moment for Kenyan Rugby
The Rising Lionesses’ victory represents a major milestone for Kenyan and African rugby. Their performance demonstrated the potential of young athletes competing on the international stage.
It also gives fresh momentum to women’s rugby development across the continent. For the players, the Dakar triumph will remain a defining moment in their sporting careers. For Kenya, it is a historic achievement worth celebrating.
