Fencer Ndolo ready to write history in Kenyan colours
Fencing star Alexandra Ndolo is oozing with confidence that she is going to write more history for Kenya in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games that are just 91 days away.
This will be the first time for Kenya to compete in the fencing sport at the Olympics following the qualification of the German-born Ndolo last month. For her, competing at the prestigious global games is not enough but getting a podium finish for the country will be of great satisfaction.
“I was really happy when I qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games but now I am already focused on the competition because I don’t want to only participate; I want to win a medal. It is about three months now to the Games and I really want to make sure that I have the best competition I can have,” Ndolo grinned.
The 2022 International Fencing World Championships silver medalist notes that she understands the high expectations of her ahead of the Paris showdown beginning late July this year.
“I think I set the bar high for myself because I am making history by going to represent Kenya. I have high expectations for myself and I want to win a medal,” she added.
Ndolo, born to a Kenyan father, was representing Germany until 2022 when she switched allegiance to Kenya.
The left-handed fencer is the only African in the top 15 World Fencing Federation, sitting pretty in position 14 globally after amassing 90 points.
Vivian Kong Man Wai of Hong Kong, China tops the world chart with 258 points.
Alexandra Ndolo’s qualification to Paris boosts Team Kenya’s hopes for medals at the Olympics.
“It feels so special wearing the national flag on my chest or fencing kit. It’s for sure a good feeling. I really appreciate how appreciative Kenyans are. You know how supportive, how much joy you can feel when people are really behind you and wishing you the best. That for me is a big boost.
Historically, it’s only in athletics and boxing where Kenya has been successful as far as Olympic medals are concerned. Pugilist Robert Wangila remains the only Kenyan to have won an Olympic gold medal outside athletics after his exploits in the welterweight category at the Seoul Games in 1988.
Until the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Kenya had taken part in 16 different sporting disciplines that is; athletics, boxing, rugby, indoor volleyball, beach volleyball, weightlifting, archery, shooting, taekwondo, swimming, judo, rowing, cycling, hockey, wrestling and sailing.
