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Nyali golfer Wahome among nominees for Soya’s Most Promising Award

Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 09:40 | By
Nyali golfer Wahome among nominees for Soya’s Most Promising Award
16-year-old Andrew Wahome of Nyali Golf and Country Club.

Kenya has witnessed a number of junior golfers shine in the international spotlight and one name which comes to mind is 16-year-old Andrew Wahome of Nyali Golf and Country Club.

Some of his biggest achievements was being feted as the golfer of the year in Pretoria, South Africa in October.

This saw him cap an impressive season in 2022 that secured him a place in the national team at only 16 years thus rubbing shoulders with the experienced lot.

It’s little wonder that Wahome has been nominated for the Sportsman of the Year Award (SOYA) for the most promising boy’s category.

The 19th edition of the SOYA Gala will be held on January 20, 2023, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The gala which is returning to Nairobi after three years that saw it held in Mombasa, Naivasha and Kakamega, has been sponsored by Communication Authority, Kenya Pipeline, Lotto Foundation, NSSF and Safaricom.

Qualifying event

 Wahome took part in the R&A, a qualifying event at Vet Lab in May where his performance guaranteed him a ticket to the British Open. He also represented his club at the annual Tannahill Shield event in March.

His breakthrough does not end there as was a runner-up at the Faldo Series Golf event at Limuru Golf and Country Club in September, just two months after he helped Kenya’s national team to the Victoria Cup title at the same venue.

Wahome has also rubbed shoulders with some of the best golfers in the continent this year at the Big Five South Africa Open and the Zimbabwe Junior Open.

In the meantime, athletics prodigy Reynold Kipkorir is also in the groove among the nominees. The 18-year-old claimed the World U20 1500m title with a dominant display at the World Junior Championships in Cali leading from start to finish to win in 3:35.83.

Kipkorir also finished fourth at the World Athletics Trials in Nairobi in June in 3:34.77 and won his speciality at the Heusden meet setting a World U20 leading time of 3:34.02.

He also set a World U20 lead in 3000m after timing 7:38.83 which was also a new personal best in September.

Kipkorir also won a 10K race in Annecy in a new personal best time of 28:36.

Other athletics wonder Felix Kiptarus Korir also hopes to stand up to be counted in the nominations. The 19-year-old won silver in the men’s 3000 metres at the World U20 Championships in Cali timing 7:47.86. He had finished third at the trials in Nairobi clocking 7:52.08.

Korir also set a new personal best of 13:07.99 in 5000m in a race in France.

Motorsports has also not been left behind with youngster Karamveer Singh in the line-up.

The 11-year-old has been declared the most improved in the Bambino class where he currently leads after five straight wins. He is going for his maiden title after clinching the runner-up position last year.

In judo, David Katana of Kajiado North Club has also inscribed his name in those hoping to clinch the award.

In weightlifting, all eyes will be on Joshua Amunga who is the national champion in the 61 kilogrammes category.

Amunga punched above his weight during the last national championships by lifting 150 kilograms and in the process beat several seasoned lifters among them Benjamin Osiemo who competed at the Commonwealth Games.

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