Kenya’s tennis sensation Angela Okutoyi would like to enjoy herself at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Even though she has yet to qualify for the Games, Okutoyi has her mind made up should this dream come true.
The 2022 Wimbledon Doubles junior champion defeated Egyptian Abdelaziz Lamiz 6-4 6-2 on Thursday to win the African Games title in Accra, Ghana.
Okutoyi needs to improve her world ranking from 532 to the top 400 to qualify for the Olympic Games in August.
“I want to go to Paris and enjoy the game, not to put pressure on myself,” she said. “If I qualify, I will just take things slowly.”
Okutoyi was mentally strong and prepared for the African Games but never expected to have it easy on debut.
“My journey here has been tough. However, I have posted excellent results due to hard work. It has been one opponent at a time. I am happy that I accomplished my mission,” she said.
Okutoyi never suffered the effects of the hot conditions in Accra, saying; "I didn’t feel the heat while on the court.”
Team captain Francis Rogoi said Okutoyi is on track for Paris after clearing her latest hurdle.
He hopes Okutoyi will storm the top 400 before the Olympic qualification window ends on the second week of June.
“We will liaise with her current institution in the United States to see how they can help her attain the top 400 rankings,” said Rogoi.
The Auburn-based university student becomes the first Kenyan to win gold in the category since the 1978 Games in Algiers, Algeria when Jane Davies defeated Susan Wakhungu in an all-Kenyan final.
Okutoyi, seeded fourth at the tournament, had edged 70th-ranked Mayar Sheriff of Egypt 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 in an epic semifinal on Wednesday.
