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Kenyan duathletes with eyes on Pontevedra

Four Kenyan duathletes will be competing at the 2019 ITU World Multisport Championships in Pontevedra, Spain.

At the 2018 ITU World Multisport Championship in Fyn, Denmark, Kennedy Ochieng Onyango and Eddy Odhiambo Onyango of Kenya made their debut appearance on the international stage. Both men are from the Kibera Slums in Nairobi, Kenya.

Ochieng was born in prison from a terminally ill mother and grew up in Kibera without a mom or dad. He joined the training group in Nairobi, and at 2018 World Duathlon Championship he raced in the U23/Elite men’s race. In his first international elite competition, the young Kenyan ran the first run segment (10K) in 29:35, but was then lapped by the leaders on the bike. Ochieng’s goal is to compete for a top 10 finish at the 2019 World Multisport Championship in Pontevedra, Spain.

Odhiambo, like Ochieng, made his international debut at the duathlon event in Denmark. Competing in the M20-24 age group, Odhiambo finished fourth behind Xavier Girard (CAN).

Supported by the Kibera Sport Development Programme, Ochieng and Odhiambo hope to continue to compete on the international stage. Joined by David Ndatha Githinji and Victor Odhiambo Onditi, the four Kenyans hope the international exposure at the 2019 ITU World Multisport Championship will further their athletic development and inspire others.