Shujaa feted with Mark of Excellence Award in Vancouver

The men’s national rugby 7s side, Shujaa, were awarded the Mark of Excellence gong after their super impressive heroics at the just concluded Vancouver Sevens event held in Canada.

In the first outing of the 2021 HSBC Sevens Series held in Vancouver, Canda, the national side replicated their 2018 heroics as they went all the way from the pool stages till the finals of the tournament. But just as in 2018, the Innocent ‘Namcos’ Simiyu currently coached side could not go one step further as they lost 5-38 to African powerhouse South Africa.

Vancouver 7s: Cold feet nabs Shujaa as Blitzboks claim gold in all African final

After emerging second from Pool A behind South Africa, Kenya managed to reach the finals of the Canadian tournament after upsetting the USA in the quarterfinals before brushing aside Ireland in the semis to book their spot in the final. Despite coming short yet again in the finals, the team’s impressive display in the tournament earned the mark of excellence award.

“The great entertainers, and crowd favourites wherever they go, Kenya Sevens were the recipients of the Mark of Excellence in Vancouver,” a statement from World Rugby Sevens read with a video of captain Nelson Oyoo receiving the award.

The awards recognise and celebrate players and teams who have performed at the highest level across the tournament.

In Vancouver, Shujaa collected 18 points to sit in second place on the world rankings. And with the 2021 Sevens circuit composed of only two series outings –Vancouver and Edmonton – Shujaa will be looking to close out the season on a high in the Edmonton Series that take place on 25th and 26th September.

Kenya’s results at Vancouver 7s

Pool A matches

Kenya 17-5 Spain

Kenya 45-7 Mexico

South Africa 33-14 Kenya

Quarter finals

USA 14-19 Kenya

Semi Finals

Ireland 5-38 Kenya

Final

Kenya 5-38 South Africa