Joseph Okal crosses the finish line to win the duathlon/CHARLENE MALWA
The enduring legacy of Kenyan athletics icon Kipchoge Keino has found a new expression in the multisport arena. Decades after Keino’s global dominance in track and field, his grandson, Joseph Okal, has emerged as a force in duathlon, clinching the men's elite title at the Africa Duathlon Cup in Kilifi.
Okal, the son of Keino’s daughter Olympia, triumphed on home soil, clocking a winning time of 1:03:14.
Speaking to journalists after his victory, the 23-year-old attributed his success to renewed faith, stating, “I am born again and believe in God.”
He also expressed his excitement for the future, noting, “I’m going to push and hope for the best. It’s a good start for my profile and gives me a lot of motivation. I didn’t have a good start to the season, but I’ve grown.”
Okal acknowledged the strong support from his family, recalling his mother's enthusiastic cheers and revealing a conversation with his proud grandfather.
This pride carries a quiet irony: Kipchoge Keino himself never pressured his children into athletics, instead encouraging them to prioritise education and "become professors, not athletes."
Despite this, the family name shone again in the sporting spotlight, driven by Okal's rediscovered passion. Okal emphasised that his grandfather's influence transcends sports.
“He always taught us that discipline is the foundation of success, no matter what you do,” Okal explained, adding, “That’s what I carry into my training — consistency and patience.”
Okal's victory marks a significant milestone for Kenyan multisport. This win comes less than a year after his second-place finish at the National Duathlon Championships last June and a strong performance at the Africa Duathlon Cup in Kasarani.
He views his achievements as continuous progress, stating, “My take-home is progress because you can only harvest what you sow.”
His training at Kazi Mingi Farm in Eldoret has been pivotal, honing his transitions between running and cycling and building endurance on the region's high-altitude terrain. “At some point, it stopped being about times and became about mental strength,” he reflected.
In the men's elite race, Phineas Kinyua secured second place with a time of 1:03:24, calling the race a valuable learning experience.
“The bike course was a little tough; the road was bumpy, but I kept going,” he recounted. “Sprint distance is harder because I’m used to longer races. My goal is to get into the world category. Duathlon is something I’m learning.”
David Wanjiru completed the podium in 1:04:39, securing a clean sweep for Kenya in the top three. The Africa Duathlon Cup, which preceded the Africa Triathlon Cup on Sunday, culminated in Okal's win, symbolising the continuation of a rich sporting lineage.
Kip Keino’s generation introduced the world to Kenyan athletics endurance, and now Okal is redefining it through new disciplines. With a smile, he shared, “I know he’s happy. He told us not to run, but somehow, the road still found me.”
The women's elite race also saw Kenyan dominance, with Meghan Irungu claiming gold with a time of 1:13:56. Her well-executed strategy, particularly her smooth transitions, proved decisive.
Irungu described the initial moments of the race as “a bit scary; the other girl took off, but I just kept going.”
She revealed her secret, stating, “The secret for me is transition. I practised it for a week before the race and it worked for me.” Irungu’s steady rise, including a second-place finish in the Under-23 Triathlon earlier this year, highlights Kenya's increasing talent in endurance sports.
Bernice Kariuki finished second in 1:19:07, expressing satisfaction with her improvement, noting, “The road was better today, no punctures. The difference was in the bike — I’ll work more to get better.
Transition is the fourth sport — the more you do competitions, the more you perfect it.” Adell Wamalwa and Iman Kaiza rounded out the top four.
Team Kenya’s assistant coach, Alphan Mwanyika, praised the athletes' performances as a testament to their potential and preparation.
“The sport is growing at a very high rate, and we only need to put in high-quality training products, nutrition, and facilities,” Mwanyika stated, emphasising that "Kenya is a running nation, and with proper training programmes, diet, and equipment, we can go far."
Mwanyika also expressed gratitude for the Ministry and government's support. Joycelene Nyambura, President of Triathlon Kenya, affirmed the importance of local hosting for the sport’s development.
“Our Kenyans did well, especially those who made it to the podium,” she remarked. “Triathlon is growing, and we thank the government for supporting local hosting so our athletes can earn points at home. As a federation, our goal is to grow the sport at the grassroots and introduce it more in schools.”
