In the heart of Homabay town, Ojwang Chrisant nurtured a dream that transcended the shores of Lake Victoria. Born to a modest family, he found solace and strength in rugby, a sport that ignited his spirit during his years at Kakamega School. His school was not just a place of learning; it was a battleground where he fought against the shadows of bullying. When he joined the rugby team, it wasn't just about the game—it was about finding security among his schoolmates.
As the East African champions of rugby, Kakamega School players enjoyed special meals that stoked Ojwang's excitement. Yet, the path was not without its hurdles. In 2015, while still a budding player, he suffered a fracture in his right leg. His mother had to be summoned, and it was at this time that she urged him to quit the sport entirely.
For a month, he stepped away from the field, grappling with the fear of never returning. But the love for the game called him back, and upon recovery, he rejoined the team, more determined than ever.
The turning point came in early 2016 during the finals against Bungoma High School. With the score tied at 3-3, the weight of the moment settled on his shoulders as the designated kicker. He stepped up, focused, and sent the ball soaring through the posts, securing victory and a place in the national championships. The next day, his mother called his class teacher, pride swelling in her voice. "The guy in the Daily Nation is my son. Is he still playing?"
From that moment on, her perspective shifted, and she became supportive of his dream. After completing Form Four in 2017, Ojwang became the captain of Kakamega School and led the team to win the national 15s and the East African 15s titles—solidifying his status as a double champ.
Transitioning to club rugby proved to be his greatest challenge yet. He joined Strathmore Leos on a scholarship, thanks to Coach Michochola, who had moved to Nakuru Rugby Football Club by the time Ojwang completed his Form Four. Coach Mich encouraged him to move from Nairobi to Nakuru and join 'Wanyore', the Nakuru Rugby Football Club, and so he did. Under the guidance of his coach, he pushed himself to excel, becoming a pivotal player. By 2019, during the National Sevens Circuit, Ojwang received a call-up to represent the national team.
However, the path remained rocky. The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo loomed, but Ojwang faced a tough choice—commit fully to rugby or continue his education at the Technical University of Mombasa. With training schedules clashing and the distance daunting, he chose to stay in school. He watched as opportunities slipped by in 2021 and 2022, but the fire within him never extinguished.
October brought the Kenya Safari 7s tournament, his only chance to represent his club, the Wailers 7s from the UK. He seized the moment, showcasing his skills and determination, but it was a year of mixed fortunes.
In 2023, after a tumultuous year, Ojwang received another call-up as the national team faced relegation from the world stage. When the team was to participate in the African 7s Championship in Zimbabwe, Ojwang had to sit for his exams at TUM. He thus made the difficult choice to stay behind once again.
After his exams ended, the national team insisted that I join them. He trained hard, finishing fifth with the Morans, which is the second team of the national side.
His first international match that year was in Uruguay. In a high-stakes game against Portugal, Ojwang scored the winning try, sealing a thrilling victory. He carried that momentum into the next tournament in Germany, where, against Japan, he had less than two minutes left to make an impact. He dashed onto the field, scoring almost immediately, leading them to victory.
The pressure intensified during a match against Chile, which ended in a draw. The sudden-death format meant the first team to score would win it all. With adrenaline pumping, Ojwang broke through the defence and scored the decisive try, leading to victory once again.
Madrid became the stage for the grand finale of his journey. There was a lot of pressure since this match was the decisive match that would either get Kenya back on the world stage or not. Initially, Ojwang was a substitute player, but here, he got to play as number 12. The first game against Samoa ended in a resounding victory for Kenya. However, a loss against Spain followed, putting them on the back foot.
In the final, they faced Chile. There were several tries, but the game ended with a 33-0 scoreline.
What followed was a nail-biting match against Germany, where Ojwang was carded early on, forcing the team to play a man down. But when he returned, he scored a crucial try, leading to a 33-19 victory and confirming their return to the world stage.
Under the mentorship of Geoffrey Ominde, who recognized Ojwang's potential when few others did, he developed both on and off the field. With trusted teammates like Oscar Ouma supporting him, he remained focused on the ultimate goal—the Paris Olympics.
Training in Miramas for one week, he embraced the thrill of competition, stepping into packed stadiums and performing under the gaze of thousands. Ojwang felt a lot of pressure and anxiety. However, he felt greatly encouraged by the chants of 'SHUJAA' of the fans as they stepped into the stadium. This rallying gave him and the rest of the team great motivation to make the country proud. The journey through the group stages was intense; against the world number one team, Argentina, he scored the first try, giving Kenya a brief lead of 12-10 by half-time before they eventually lost.
The next matches against Australia and Samoa also resulted in losses, but Ojwang and his teammates regrouped, winning against Uruguay 24-14 to keep their hopes alive. The final match against Samoa brought redemption, where they emerged victorious, marking a triumphant end to their Olympic campaign.
As the Olympics came to a close, Ojwang reflected on his journey. With his engineering degree in sight, he envisioned a future where he could merge his passions for sport and engineering. With Kenya back on the world stage, he felt a profound responsibility to uphold that legacy.
As the next chapter approaches with the HSBC Sevens series starting in Dubai in November, Ojwang Chrisant is ready and determined to wear the national jersey with pride. He knows that his journey is far from over. The world is watching, and he is prepared to seize every moment.
