Self-sponsored Kenyan skater Kelvin Kiarie set for training camp in China

For most athletes, the journey to international training camps begins with sponsorship deals, federations, and state-backed support.

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However, for Kenyan freestyle skater Kelvin Kiarie, it began with YouTube videos, second-hand skates from Gikomba, and an unrelenting belief in his dream.

The self-sponsored Kenyan skater is now set for another major milestone after confirming that he will travel to Chengdu, China, for the 2026 Sichuan High-T International Inline Freestyle Competition Exchange Program from Thursday, 21 May, to Wednesday, 3 June.

Announcing the opportunity on social media, Kiarie expressed excitement at finally getting a chance to train with one of the strongest freestyle skating teams in the world after years of self-teaching.

“In a few days from today, I will be honored to participate in the 2026 Sichuan High-T International Inline Freestyle Competition Exchange Program in Chengdu, China,” he wrote.

“For years, I have used YouTube and online videos to advance my tricks. While in Chengdu, I will attend a highly intensive training program with High-T, the strongest team on earth, and I look forward to extending my horizons as an athlete and for Kenya in diverse ways. The best is ahead,” he continued.

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Kiarie’s rise has been nothing short of extraordinary.

At the recent African Skating Championships in Cairo, Egypt, he emerged as one of the continent’s standout athletes after clinching gold medals in both the freestyle battle and classic slalom categories.

Before that, he had already made headlines at the International Skating Challenge in Cotonou, Benin, where he bagged gold in freestyle battle and silver in classic slalom while competing as Kenya’s sole representative against seasoned international skaters.

Yet behind the medals lies a story defined by sacrifice and resilience.

Kiarie first discovered freestyle skating in 2014 after watching clips on his cousin’s phone.

The videos sparked a passion that eventually led him to move to Nairobi to immerse himself in the city’s skating culture.

Three years later, while studying civil engineering at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), he used Ksh 1,500 from his first HELB loan to buy a pair of second-hand skates from Gikomba market.

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Without sponsors, professional trainers, or access to skating academies, Kiarie turned to online tutorials and hours of relentless practice to master disciplines such as Freestyle Battle and Classic Slalom.

Even as he worked as a structural engineer, he continued training in public spaces, including Aga Khan Walk, Kasarani Stadium grounds before access restrictions, and apartment basements.

His struggles became widely known earlier this year during preparations for the Benin competition.

To finance the trip, Kiarie and his wife made the painful decision to use money meant for their four-year-old daughter’s school fees.

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He traveled to the airport in a matatu carrying his skating gear and posted a heartfelt video online appealing for KSh 65,000 to survive during the competition.

Ironically, the appeal gained traction only after he had already won gold in Benin.

Touched by his determination, Kenyans on social media launched a massive fundraising drive that transformed his fortunes almost overnight.

The support continued ahead of the African Championships in Cairo after his requests for assistance from the Ministry of Sports were reportedly declined due to a lack of funds.

Kiarie then turned to TikTok to fundraise for flights and accommodation, with well-wishers raising more than KSh 200,000.

Public contributions later surpassed KSh 350,000 following a live interview on Citizen TV with Jeff Koinange.

The funds enabled him to clear school fee arrears, purchase proper skating equipment, and settle debts from an earlier self-funded trip to Singapore.