Clinton Aluvi with his parents at the JKIA after returning from the African U18/U20 championships/ TEDDY MULEI Clinton Aluvi is dreaming bigger and faster after etching his name in the history books as the first Kenyan ever to win gold in the men’s 100m at the African Under-20 Championships.
The 19-year-old sprint prodigy stormed to victory in 10.45 seconds during the continental showpiece in Abeokuta, Nigeria, announcing his arrival on the big stage in style.
South Africa's Karabo Letebele placed second in 10.54 with Nigeria's Caleb John clocking 10.61 for third place. Buoyed by his record-breaking feat, Aluvi believes the Abeokuta win is just the beginning of a glittering sprinting journey.
"Going forward, I know I will be representing Kenya in major competitions," Aluvi said after arriving at the JKIA on Tuesday.
The Utawala Sprints Club athlete may soon don national colours again after being named in Kenya’s 4x100m relay team for the upcoming Tokyo World Championships. He joins a formidable line-up featuring Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala, alongside Steve Odhiambo, Meshack Babu, Mark Otieno, Dennis Mwai and Isaac Omurwa.
Despite being his debut on the international stage in Nigeria, Aluvi credits his stellar performance to unwavering belief from his coaches and teammates. "It was my first time representing Kenya at a major competition and I thank God for the performance I was able to deliver."
"The coaches believed I would deliver, and I am thankful for that. My team, Utawala Sprints Club, also gave me a lot of motivation," he said. He praised Omanyala for inspiring the squad during their residential camp at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
"Omanyala also encouraged us a lot. He came to our residential camp and gave us motivation, which was very crucial," he said. Team Kenya in Nigeria was able to amass 34 medals (13 gold, 12 silver and nine bronze).
He called on Athletics Kenya to channel more support towards women in sprints, noting that female representation remains worryingly low.
"In sprints, we are coming up well. I hope the federation can support us more, especially the female sprinters, because we don't have many in the country," he added. Aluvi, however, pointed out a few challenges off the track, particularly with the spicy local cuisine.
“The only challenge was the food; it was very spicy, but we spoke to the coaches and adjustments were made,” he noted. AK Youth Secretary Joseph Ilovi hailed the performance of the sprinters as a sign of better things to come.
"We are waking up in terms of sprints. We were able to get four medals from the Championships, which is very positive," Ilovi noted. "We have a bright future ahead in the sprints."
In addition to Aluvi’s 100m triumph, Brian Okoth clinched bronze in the U20 200m (21.32), while in the U18 category, Simeon Araka won the boys’ 400m gold (47.46) with Robert Sang taking bronze (47.89).
