Kenya Sevens winger Patrick Odongo hopes to repeat his Africa Cup Sevens/Olympic qualifiers exploits and help Shujaa to the medal bracket at the 2024 Paris Olympic games.
Speaking when he was named the LG/ Kenya Sports Journalists Personality (SJAK) of the month of September, Odongo said he believes Shujaa have what it takes to break their jinx at the global showpiece.
Shujaa have graced the Olympic games twice, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, but crashed in the preliminary round on both occasions.
Odongo, 20, helped Shujaa qualify for Paris by contributing a joint-top seven tries alongside John Okoth as Kenya got one over continental rivals 17-12 in a fiery final in Harare, Zimbabwe last month.
“It was a great experience featuring for Shujaa for the first time, thanks to my teammates. My aim now is winning more with the team and emerging top try scorer on the international level,” said Odongo.
The Daystar Falcons player emerged top try scorer in the National 7s Circuit and also won the most promising star accolade in his debut season.
Odongo said he trusts the process as he hopes to emulate his mentor Collins Injera, Shujaa’s all-time top try scorer, who is also second on the World Series top try scorers’ list with 279 touchdowns.
“Injera was a humble giant who did his talking on the pitch and I know reaching his levels needs dedication and great hard work. I am determined to make it,” said Odongo.
Shujaa assistant coach Andrew Amonde said Odongo’s heroics and mental strength against giants South Africa won their hearts.
The Community Development student dedicated the SJAK award to his late mum, who passed on just before he travelled to Harare.
“Mum always encouraged me to work hard and it was her dream to one day see me don the Shujaa shirt. She may have gone prematurely but I know she’s happy to see me win,” said Odongo.
Shujaa are currently preparing for the Safari Sevens — set for November 17-19 in Nairobi — as well as the Dubai Sevens — set for the first week of December. Odongo said he is looking forward to star in both events.
