History-making Angella Okutoyi might need to make flight arrangements for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. The 20-year-old clinched a gold medal at this year’s All-African Games in Accra, Ghana. In the final, she defeated Egypt’s Lamis Alhussein Abdel Aziz 6-4 6-2.
Okutoyi stunned Egypt’s No. 1 Sherif in marathon semifinal
The one-sided scoreline starkly contrasts Okutoyi’s career-best win in Wednesday’s semifinal, where she outlasted former World No. 31 Mayar Sherif 5-7 7-5 7-6. The match was an absolute lung buster, lasting a remarkable four hours and 27 minutes.
With the accumulation of lactic acid and the pressure of a nation on her shoulders, Okutoyi beat aching limbs and defied the odds to recreate history less than 24 hours later. She is just the second Kenyan to win a tennis gold medal, joining Jane Davies-Doxzon, who topped the podium at the 1978 African Games.
How will Okutoyi qualify for the Paris Olympics?
Okutoyi has not yet secured her place in the 64-player singles field in Paris. While winning a gold medal at the African Games is usually a direct ticket into the draw for the Olympic tennis tournament, she must meet the eligibility requirements for her WTA ranking. To qualify, she must be in the Top 400 by June 10th, when the Olympics ranking window closes. Okutoyi is currently at No. 532 in the world. She will need to perform very well in some ITF tournaments between now and early June.
Okutoyi is a trailblazer in Kenyan tennis
Last year, when Okutoyi – who studies at Auburn University – returned to Nairobi to compete at an ITF tournament, she was cheered by a noisy crowd. She repaid them by scooping the W25 singles and doubles titles in the same week.
Coming from a nation without any tennis heritage, Okutoyi has thrust her name into Kenya’s pantheon of sporting greats. Two years ago, she won the Wimbledon junior’s doubles title, the first time a player from the East African nation had tasted Grand Slam success. Her victory garnered widespread salutation and acclaim back home. Her rise from an orphanage to touring the globe has inspired thousands in Kenya, where tennis is viewed as a rich man’s sport.
Main Photo Credit: Matthias Hauer/GEPA via USA TODAY Sports
