Kenya finish third at Africa Youth Chess Championship in Uganda
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 23.05.26. | 15:32
After a nine-day tournament, the Kenyan youth picked up two gold medals, compared to the four they clinched last year in Harare
Kenya failed to defend its Africa Youth Chess Championship title, which ended in Uganda on Friday, finishing third behind the hosts and champions, Egypt.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
After a nine-day tournament, the Kenyan youth picked up two gold medals, compared to the four they clinched last year in Harare.
The two gold medals were added to four silver and four bronze medals, marking a great improvement in the number of medals hauled at this year’s championships.
Elizabeth Cassidy won the girls under-16 category after finishing on 7.5 points. Last year, the Kitale-based player won the under-14 category and earned the Women's Fide Master (WFM) title after her latest triumph.
Another gold medal came through Winnie Kaburo, who claimed the under-12 title after collecting eight points out of a possible nine.
Riley Matingi, another Kenyan, finished in fourth place in this category after picking up seven points.
The biggest surprise was in the boys under-8 category, where Rayvon Kirega, taking part in the tournament for the first time, won a silver medal.
Kirega finished behind Egyptian Mahmoud Sameir, who collected an impressive 8.5 points to clinch gold.
Mathias Kariuki Cherere, another Kenyan, won silver in this category. Kenya also won silver in the girls under-8 category, where Aaliyah McKenzie picked eight points to finish behind Uganda’s Mbabazi Jecinter.
Egypt and Uganda dominated the girls under-10 category. Naomi Wamwenje emerged as Kenya’s best finisher in 7th place with 6.5 points.
Mali Mugo, finishing 9th overall, also on 6.5 points. Jeremy Aden Duke, rated 1575, claimed silver in the boys under-10 category after scoring 7.5 points,
Not far behind was Andy Zane Wright, another Kenyan warrior rated 1576, who brought home bronze with the same 7.5 points. Jayden Kiogora Mwendwa, rated 1486, completed Kenya’s strong showing by finishing 10th overall with 6.5 points.
Kenya also dominated in the boys under-12 category, winning silver and bronze. Nathaniel Manyeki, rated 1914, stood inches away from continental gold, settling for a silver medal.
Faraja Muli was third, claiming bronze in an event won by Uganda.