Self-sponsored Kenyan skater Kelvin Kiarie Ruhiu has won a gold medal in the Freestyle category at the International Challenge Cotonou Skating and a silver medal in Classic Slalom at the event on Sunday.
Ruhiu recorded a video and shared it on his Facebook account in tears after the award presentation, thanking his family and friends for their support, but notably did not mention the government of Kenya.
"I just did it—a gold medal for Kenya. I am here in West Africa, Benin, and I won a gold medal for my country," Ruhiu sobbed.
"It's been a fierce fight just getting here, and if I have to do it again, I will do it for my country. I thank my family and friends. I don't want to reach a breaking point because I want to do this again," he continued, adding that he has another competition next month, though he did not specify the event or its venue.
The five-day International Challenge Cotonou, held from April 1–5, 2026, in Benin's capital, is a high-profile event organized by World Skate in collaboration with the Benin Roller Sports Federation (FBRS) and is recognized as a major international competition in Africa.
With participants from across Africa and beyond, the competition features two disciplines: Inline Speed Skating and Inline Freestyle, and is listed on the official World Skate event calendar.
Recently, the Kenya Scrabble national team had to endure a six-day road trip covering 4,786 km to and from Lusaka, Zambia, for the East and Central South Africa Scrabble Championship. The players lacked financial support from the government or sponsors, each covering their own transport, food, and accommodation expenses.
Ruhiu is now among many Kenyan sportsmen and women striving to put the country on the global sports map and build careers in sports.
Unfortunately, many continue to struggle without support from the government or other sponsors, highlighting a lack of general goodwill toward sports. Despite Kenya’s shift to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), questions remain about why talent is developed but not supported to maturity.
